Portland Water Bureau began replacing about 114,000 older water meters at homes and small buildings in March 2026. On October 28, 2026, crews were working in East Portland, and the Bureau expects the replacement to take about four years, finishing by 2030.
Three dates to follow
The new meters are still read in person for now. A contractor is due to start installing digital reading technology in early 2027. The Bureau plans to begin activating it in mid-2027, area by area, and says the first customers will see water use data from their own smart meters in late 2027. Installation on all meters is scheduled to finish by 2030.
What customers are promised
Once every step is complete, the Bureau says customers can view daily water use for the last three years, receive text or email alerts about possible leaks or unusual use, and get suggestions on cutting water use and costs. The customer portal contract went to VertexOne, at no more than $1.7 million.
Two cost estimates
The program is joint with the Bureau of Environmental Services. The Bureau's March 2024 financial plan put the estimated total cost at $93 million, shared equally between the two bureaus. Ordinance 191517, passed in November 2023, gave an estimated total of $91 million, with up to $76 million authorized for contracts.
Why the timing matters
Water rates rose 8.1% on July 1, 2026, and the typical residential water bill at 5 ccf a month is now $70.89, up from $65.57. Daily data from late 2027 would be the first tool that lets households see what they use day by day, rather than at each manual reading.
How the meters fit with filtration and the 2030 carbon target, and what could slow each milestone, are set out in the full report. The full report, Water Utility of the Future: Portland Water Bureau, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Portland Water Bureau Utility Snapshot.