No water shutoffs are expected during the current Fulton Pump work, according to the Portland Water Bureau's September 16, 2026 update. If your Southwest Portland home unexpectedly loses water, report it to the Water Bureau instead of assuming a crew scheduled the interruption. Check the project's current update before making plans; construction information can change.
The useful distinction is between work on the city's water system and a problem at your property. Start by noting which taps are affected, whether nearby homes have the same problem, and whether you received a city notice. That information helps the utility or plumber decide what to investigate.
What the latest project update says
The September 16 update says pipe installation and underground drilling are complete, with sanitizing, testing, and connections still on the work list. A work zone can remain after excavation ends.
The listed work areas include SW Nevada Street, SW Fifth Avenue, SW Chestnut Street, South Corbett Avenue, and crossings beneath I-5 and SW Barbur Boulevard. Check the project map for your location.
For any future planned shutoff, the Water Bureau says it will give at least 24 hours' notice. Save the notice and follow its instructions. An unexpected loss of service still needs to be reported.
Water stopped: choose the right first call
If several nearby properties lost water, or you see water running out of a street or sidewalk, contact the Water Bureau first. Its main-break guidance gives a 24-hour emergency number: 503-823-4874. Tell the operator your location, when the problem started, and what you observed.
If one fixture changed while the others work normally, describe that difference when asking for plumbing help. Don't authorize a whole-house pipe replacement from one symptom. For a home-wide problem, ask the utility whether it knows of a service issue before arranging a private-line investigation.
For a leak on your property, use True Plumbing's leak-detection and repair guide to understand the service. Call with your address to confirm coverage and availability; the company's published coverage centers on Southwest Washington and the east Portland metro.
If the water turns brown or cloudy
A main break can disturb sediment and discolor water. Portland's discolored-water instructions advise checking one cold tap for one to two minutes each hour, limiting hot-water use, and avoiding light-colored laundry while the water is discolored. Consider bottled or stored emergency water for drinking and cooking. Once the water clears, follow the city's cold-tap flushing instructions. Check that page for the current procedure and any active notice for your address.
Write down whether the change affects cold water, hot water, or both. A photo of water in a clear glass can help describe the appearance. The Water Bureau's service-problem page directs water-quality and pressure questions to its Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525 during business hours, with the emergency line available after hours.
A color change doesn't establish a boil-water advisory. If the utility issues a notice for your address, follow that notice's specific instructions. Don't infer one from construction activity or substitute this guide for an active city notice.
Keep a short record before calling
| Write down | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| The first time you noticed the change | Lets the utility compare your report with its work and other reports. |
| Which fixtures and hot or cold supply are affected | Describes the extent without guessing which pipe failed. |
| Whether nearby homes report the same issue | Gives the city useful context for a possible wider interruption. |
| A notice, reference number, or utility response | Gives the next person the information already checked. |
| Visible water and any recent plumbing work | Helps a plumber plan the investigation and access. |
Take photos from a safe position. Stay out of the construction work zone, and let the utility handle its street equipment. If water is spreading toward electrical equipment, keep clear and obtain qualified help. OSHA's flood-response guidance explains why wet electrical equipment and flooded areas require particular care.
When a private water-line visit makes sense
If the utility has checked for a system issue and the problem remains at your property, arrange an investigation with the utility's response in hand. Before approving work, ask which part of the supply needs testing, what access is required, and whether the estimate covers diagnosis, repair, or both.
True Plumbing's water-line repair page covers its private-line service. The service-area guide is the place to start for coverage, followed by an address check with the team. A city construction project doesn't by itself mean your home's line needs replacing.
Fulton Pump water-service questions
Does the September update announce a water shutoff?
No shutoff is expected in the September 16 update. Check the current city notice for your address.
Who should I call if water stops unexpectedly?
Report an unexpected service interruption to the Portland Water Bureau at 503-823-4874. Tell the operator your address, the start time, and whether nearby homes are affected.
Does the construction explain a problem at just one tap?
One affected tap is an observation to share, not proof of the cause. Note whether hot or cold water changed and whether other fixtures work, then ask the utility or plumber what to check next.
Can True Plumbing repair a pipe inside my property?
Call with the address and symptoms to confirm the service scope, coverage, and appointment availability. If the issue may involve the public water system, obtain the Water Bureau's response first.
For a private plumbing problem, request service from True Plumbing or call (360) 207-6064. Bring the observations and utility response so the visit starts with useful information.
