Shut off the Water!

If a water pipe breaks in your home, do you know where your shut-off valve is located? Find it so you are prepared to turn the water off in a hurry during an emergency. Water damage can happen very quickly and time is of the essence if a pipe breaks.

Look for your shut-off valve in the following places:

• In the garage, near the water heater or laundry hookup
• In the crawl space or basement, where the waterline enters the home
• Outside near the foundation, often protected by a concrete ring or clay pipe

Can’t find your Shut-off Valve?  

If you can’t find your waterline shut-off valve, you should have one installed.

• During Business Hours: 503-615-6700
• After Business Hours: 503-615-6775

Please do not tamper with the meter yourself unless you are willing to assume liability for damages.

Shut-off valves come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Here are some examples as a guideline, but there are plenty more possibilities out there.

Water stored in your own containers

Tap water does not expire, but it will begin to taste less "fresh" after being stored in a plastic container for a long time. Check in your emergency water supply every 6 - 12 months and optionally change it out. Plastic soda bottles will also break down over time, so it's a good idea to make sure the container is still in good condition.

Bottled Water

Keep your emergency water fresh by optionally changing it out occasionally (every 6 - 12 months). Bottled water doesn’t expire, but the manufacturer’s best-by date will give you a sense of when the water will taste the best. The plastic bottle will break down over time, so be sure to check your emergency water supply every six months to see if it needs to be replaced.

In an emergency, it is okay to use water that has been stored for more than 6 - 12 months. You may be able to improve the taste slightly by letting it stand for a while or pouring it from clean container to clean container to expose it to air. As a precaution, you may want to treat water that you’ve stored in your own containers before drinking it.

Hillsboro Water is proactive in preparing for emergencies. Staff plan for a variety of possible emergencies, including natural hazards, malevolent attacks, water source contamination, power outages, etc. We are dedicated to having a resilient water system to continue supplying our customers with water – even during emergencies. 

How we prepare:

• Update our Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan every five years. 
• Conduct annual drills and tabletop exercises to help staff practice emergency response.
• Coordinate regional partnerships and relationships with other water providers. 
• Collaborate with County and State agencies for mutual aid agreements for resource sharing. 
• Maintain tools and equipment for emergency response. 
• Conduct community outreach to help customers prepare for emergencies. 
• Provide emergency communications to inform the community about potential emergencies.