Show All Answers

1. How do I shut off my water?

Your master shut-off valve is typically located on the outside of your home. It may be in the front, on the side or in the backyard. Look for a hose-bib (outside faucet) next to your home with a pipe coming up from the ground. Located on that pipe between the ground and the hose bib is a valve. This is the master shut-off valve. Typically, the house valve will have a wheel (gate valve) or a straight handle (ball valve) for turning.

2. How do I know if I have a leak?

The easiest way to determine if you have a leak is to turn off all taps and make sure there is no water being used in any other way (including humidifiers, air conditioners and ice machines). Go to the water meter and if the red triangle located at the top of the meter is continuing to spin there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing. If it is spinning, check your toilets! A toilet is the most common place to find an undetected leak.

3. I have a leak on my property. Can someone from the city fix it?

Call Public Works at (361) 777-4601 to verify location of leak close to the meter. The city will only repair leaks up to the meter, any repairs required on the customer's side of the meter is the responsibility of the property owner.

4. What is hard water?

Hard water is the most common problem found in the average home. Hard water is typically defined as water having more than 1 GPG (grains per gallon) of dissolved minerals in it, generally consisting of calcium, magnesium carbonate and/or manganese. The amount of hardness in water is usually measured in either PPM (parts per million) or GPG (grains per gallon).
17.1 PPM or 17.1 Mg/L = 1 GPG
OR
PPM or Mg/L divided by 17.1 = GPG
The range of CoP's water will be 1 – 12.6 gpg

5. How is hydrogen sulfide gas produced in a water heater?

A water heater can provide an ideal environment for the conversion of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas. The water heater can produce hydrogen sulfide gas in two ways - creating a warm environment where sulfur bacteria can live, and sustaining a reaction between sulfate in the water and the water heater anode.

A water heater usually contains a metal rod called an "anode," which is installed to reduce corrosion of the water heater tank. The anode is usually made of magnesium metal, which can supply electrons that aid in the conversion of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas. The anode is 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter and 30 to 40 inches long.

6. Does the City of Portland add fluoride to its drinking water?

The immediate answer is no. However there is a naturally occurring, detected level of fluoride in Portland drinking water. The current range of concentration is from 0.3 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million).

Since fluoride, derived from the natural element fluorine, is known to strengthen dental enamel and is effective in preventing tooth decay, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended an optimum level of fluoride in drinking water of between 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter. Portland water falls within range naturally.

7. What is our water source?

The SPMWD obtains its water supply from the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi Reservoir System within the Nueces River Basin. These reservoirs are fed by the Nueces, Frio and Atascosa Rivers. The Mary Rhodes Pipeline was completed in September 1998 and extends 101 miles from Lake Texana near Edna, Texas.

The pipeline delivers water to the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant in Corpus Christi. The treatment plant purifies the water through a process of chemical treatment, settling, filtration and disinfection. Water treatment chemicals are added to remove impurities, kill harmful bacteria, eliminate tastes and odors and help prevent tooth decay.

The same quality drinking water is then delivered to all residential, commercial and industrial customers through a treated water transmission main from O.N. Stevens Plant to SPMWD by the Reynolds Aluminum Plant east of Gregory.

8. How can I check for a leaky toilet?

Adding food coloring to the tank is one way of checking. If you have a leak, the food coloring will spread into the bowl, causing it to change color as well. The most common causes of a leaking toilet are:

• The float device set too high, which causes water to run into the overflow tube
• A warped or cracked flapper

9. What should I do if my sewer is blocked?

Please call the city first so that it can be determined if it is a city problem or homeowner problem. Once it is confirmed, the department will advise you on what to do next. If it is a homeowner problem, you will be advised to call a plumber. If, however, it is a city problem, it will be addressed immediately.

10. Where does city maintenance end?

If the problem is in the sewer lateral, the homeowner or business is responsible for correcting the problem. The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining and cleaning the sewer lateral from the building (or home) to the sewer main, including the connection on the sewer main.

City maintenance of the sewer service ends at the outside surface of the pipe on the sewer main, where the tap is made. Locating the lateral is also the responsibility of the property owner. Homeowner / business responsibility does not end at the easement or property line but at the city sewer main.