Rivergrove Water District’s water source is groundwater and comes from wells that we have drilled
into the Columbia River Basalt aquifer. We currently have three wells that adequately supply our
current demand.

The rate that applies to most of our customers is for a 3/4-inch water meter. For this sized meter the bi-monthly rate is as follows: a service fee of $35.80 and a water usage fee of $2.87 per 100 cubic feet. (There are approximately 750 gallons of water per 100 cubic feet.). Larger meters have different rates and the rate schedule for these meters is available at the District office. 

Payments are accepted by check, cash, money order and credit or debit cards on our website at www.rivergrovewater.com - the District also has AUTOPAY available, and it is really slick.

It is not possible to quote an “average cost” for water. The cost depends upon many variables including size of the family, water-use habits, and how often you irrigate your yard.

First make sure all the water is turned off both inside and outside your home. Make sure there is no water usage while you check the meter. If the dials or hands are turning, water is going through the meter. This would indicate that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing.

A minimum of 4 microbiological water samples are taken at various sites in the District Water system each month. We also test the water for chemical makeup and possible contaminants levels at Alexin Analytical of Oregon, a state Certified Water Testing Laboratory. If you wish additional information about our water testing and results, our lab telephone number is (503) 639-9311.

The District has a curb stop that shuts off each meter. It takes a special tool to turn off this curb stop. If a customer uses this stop and turns it off with a crescent wrench or any other type of tool it could result in damage to the curb stop. When the curb stop is damaged the entire main has to be shut down in order to fix it. This would put some or all of your neighbors out of water for a…

Call the district office at (503) 635-6041. If an emergency occurs after office hours inform our answering service that you have “a water emergency” and they will page our on call personnel to respond to your water emergency.

Disaster can strike at any time and in any community. Rivergrove Water takes special measures to protect both the availability and quality of your water supply. Although no amount of preparation can prevent a disaster, you can plan to limit its effects. One of the most important supplies to have on hand in the event of a disaster is safe drinking water. 

The District maintains and repairs or replaces the water meter, backflow prevention assembly, and the box in which they are housed. If one of these items is broken, please call us as soon as possible. The customer should be aware that each customer should use reasonable care and diligence to keep the meter and meter box free from dirt due to mole infiltration, and protect the water meter, meter…

The City of Lake Oswego provides some sewer service in some areas of the District. If you are on sewer or would like more information about sewer service you can call (503) 635-0265.

Fluoride is not added to the water. Our water quality lab tests have shown the amount of natural fluoride to less than 0.5 parts per million. For comparison, one part per million is equivalent to 1 cent in ten thousand or drop in a million drops. This means that in one million drops of water there is less than ½ drop of fluoride.

The water from our wells is moderately hard. For additional information concerning hardness and customer choices on water softening check out our document discussing dealing with hard water:

No! A standard vinyl garden hose has substances in it to keep the hose flexible; these chemicals get
into the water as it goes through the hose and are not good for you.

We recommend using cold water. Hot water is more likely to contain rust, copper, and lead from your household plumbing and water heater.

Since 1957, Rivergrove Water District has never had to ask our customers to conserve water. That does not mean that conservation of this natural resource will not be needed in the future and that customers should make an effort to use it wisely.