TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

The Water Efficiency program sustains long-term water resource availability through three efforts: demonstrating efficient state-regulated water use, supporting customer efficiency initiatives (particularly low-income and small business customers), and reducing system losses and leakage. The program supports Portland's Net Zero emissions goal by 2050 and ensures vulnerable communities have equitable access to conservation strategies through partnerships with culturally specific organizations. The 2026-27 proposed budget is $2.08M with no significant changes planned.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Proposed budget total revenues of $2,078,021 from Water Fund (external: $1,185,090; internal: $892,931) (p. 992 ↗)
Personnel expenses decrease from $1,110,068 (2025-26) to $1,005,136 (2026-27) (p. 992 ↗)
External materials and services expenses increase from $631,917 (2025-26) to $828,297 (2026-27) (p. 992 ↗)
Program focuses on demonstrating efficient water resource use, supporting customer efficiency, and reducing system losses and leakage (p. 992 ↗)
Water efficiency efforts support Bureau's Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050 (p. 992 ↗)
Staff partner with culturally specific community-based organizations to expand conservation access to underserved communities (p. 993 ↗)
Program materials translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese with Community Engagement Liaisons (p. 993 ↗)
Water leak repair and replacement program prioritizes low-income customer assistance and Title 1 schools (p. 993 ↗)
No significant changes to program planned for FY 2026-27 (p. 993 ↗)

Amounts: $2,078,021 · $1,185,090 · $892,931 · $1,005,136 · $1,110,068 · $828,297 · $631,917 · $590,441 · Dates/FTE: 2023-24 Actuals · 2024-25 Actuals · 2025-26 Revised Budget · 2026-27 Proposed · Programs: Water Efficiency program · water leak repair and replacement program · school programs · Parties: Water Bureau · City of Portland · community-based organizations

Water Efficiency

Source: PDF pp. 992-993 ↗ · raw: 992 · 993

Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Public Works > Water Bureau > Water Efficiency

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Public Works > Water Bureau > Water Efficiency Water Efficiency Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Revenues $0 $0 $0 $1,185,090 Water Fund $0 $0 $0 $1,185,090 Internal Revenues $0 $376,643 $500,000 $892,931 Water Fund $0 $376,643 $500,000 $892,931 Grand Total $0 $376,643 $500,000 $2,078,021 Program Expenses by Major Object Program expenses only include personnel, internal materials and services, external materials and services, and capital. 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Materials and $162,144 $590,441 $631,917 $828,297 Services Internal Materials and $11,774 $5,259 $16,643 $24,515 Services Personnel $600,858 $788,592 $1,110,068 $1,005,136 Grand Total $774,775 $1,384,293 $1,758,628 $1,857,948 Program Description and Goals The Water Efficiency program contains the Water Bureau's efforts to sustain long-term availability of water resources through efficient water use by the bureau and the communities it serves. Program efforts are focused on 1) demonstrating efficient use of State-regulated water resources to ensure ongoing long-term access to undeveloped water rights, 2) encouraging and supporting efficient water use by customers (including focused efforts to assist low-income and small business customers in reducing water costs through efficiency), and 3) assessing systematic and improvement of water system loss and leakage rates. Water efficiency can help eliminate water waste and reduce the embedded energy and greenhouse gas emissions in drinking water which supports the bureau's goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Water Efficiency program also 992

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget helps communicate how customers can reduce their water usage to help stretch summer water supplies and prepare in the event of unexpected outages. Services Conservation Equity Impacts This program works to ensure underserved communities have access to water conservation strategies. Staff partner with culturally specific community-based organizations to expand access to conservation resources and opportunities, attending community events that prioritize engagement with vulnerable populations. Staff reduce barriers to program access, including through the water leak repair and replacement program, and prioritize school programs for Title 1 schools. The bureau overlays fixture repair and replacement data onto geographic and demographic information to identify potential service gaps. Program materials are translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese, and staff employ Community Engagement Liaisons for outreach and language interpretation at events. Changes to Program There are no significant changes to this program for FY 2026-27. 993

Parent: Water Bureau · PDF: pp. 992-993 ↗