Water Distribution Division

The Cornelius Water Distribution Division provides domestic water to all customers within the city of Cornelius and to a few customers outside the city that are in the Urban Growth Boundary. We maintain the water system at a high degree of reliability for both domestic and fire fighting capability.

Reading your own meter
Water meters are set in the ground, usually at the edge of the lawn close to the sidewalk or street. Most people are unaware that the water meter is located within a utility easement. This means that when landscaping or digging, you should maintain a safe distance from the meter and protective box.

Some things to keep in mind about landscaping:

• The meter should be kept clear of shrubbery, ornamental trees & low growing bushes.
• When planting trees take into consideration that tree roots can become entangled around pipes increasing the possibility of breakage on the customer side of the meter.
• Tree foliage can also become bushy, hindering the meter reader.
• Customers who already have established landscaping are encouraged to trim their plantings back from the meter box.

Now you be the meter reader!

• Is it easily seen from the street?
• Do you have to push shrubs or tree limbs out of the way to get to it?
• Do you have to duck down or crawl to read it?
• If any of these are true, our meter reader will have trouble reading your meter.
• Feel free to call our office at 503-357-3011 for advice on maintaining the area around your meter.

Temporary/Emergency water shut-offs
Contact City Hall at 503-357-9112 if you need your water service temporarily shut off.

Where does Cornelius get its water?
Cornelius purchases their water from the City of Hillsboro who does not add fluoride to the water.

Locating lines
The City will locate water main lines and individual service lines up to the water meter. The city does not locate water lines on private property, as a general rule. Remember to call Utility Notification at "811" 48 hours in advance of any project that includes digging. All utilities will be notified with one call and will locate their lines associated with your work area.

Water pressure
Occasionally you may experience a decrease or increase in the water pressure. There are many possible causes of this problem, including air in the water lines or faulty plumbing fixtures.

Air in the lines is usually associated with construction in the area or a change in your water supply, such as the meter being turned off for repairs. Symptoms of air pockets include water "spitting" out of the faucet, cloudy or milky-looking water, and possibly water that appears rusty. If you experience any of these things turn at least two faucets on full blast for 5-10 minutes; it's helpful if the faucets are located at different ends of the house. This should pull the air pocket through the water lines; however, if the problem doesn't clear up, call Public Works at 503-357-3011.

If you are experiencing low pressure in one area of the home, it is probably related to a faulty plumbing fixture. For instance, if the kitchen sink works fine but the clothes washer takes a long time to fill, the problem is probably in the line to the washer or the washer itself. The same can be said of individual problems with showers, toilets, sinks, etc. If this sounds like the problem you are having, before contacting a plumber call Public Works at 503 357-3011 and an employee will be sent out at no charge to you.

Reporting Leaks
If you notice a water leak on a city street or on your own property contact Public Works at 503-357-3011 and a technician will be sent out to investigate your report.