In southeast Portland's Sellwood neighborhood, what looks like a small problem is starting to feel like a big one. Neighbors say they are fed up after repeated thefts of water meter covers have left open holes along sidewalks and curbs, creating safety hazards and a steady buzz of unease on otherwise quiet residential blocks.
Dozens of lids are now missing, residents report, and while city crews keep coming out to replace them, homeowners say the covers keep disappearing. The cycle is beginning to wear thin.
Portland Water Bureau: Up to 100 Covers Taken, $50 a Pop
According to KOIN, the Portland Water Bureau has logged as many as 100 missing water meter covers across the area. Each one costs roughly $50 to replace, a tab that ultimately lands on ratepayers.
Brandon Zero, the bureau's public information officer, told KOIN the thefts are “hard to understand” and said the ongoing problem has become a shared loss for both customers and crews. Staff are rolling out to swap in new lids as reports come in, but the repeated thefts are stretching maintenance resources and patience.
Neighbors Say the Little Thefts Add Up
Sellwood resident Drew Beard told KOIN that his meter cover was stolen again this month, and that “it just creates a really nasty feeling in the neighborhood.”
Neighbors say the missing lids are not happening in a vacuum. Residents have also reported graffiti on houses, tagging of gas meters and painted street signs, and say those smaller incidents, stacked together, have amplified worries about safety and property damage. Several people told KOIN they want to see more visible patrols in the area and quicker city follow-up when meter covers are reported missing.
How to Report Missing Lids and Stay Safe
Per the Portland Water Bureau, anyone who spots a missing water meter lid should report it to 503-823-7770 or email [email protected]. The bureau notes that while a single replacement is relatively inexpensive, repeated thefts pull money and staff time away from other maintenance work and can leave trip hazards that put pedestrians and pets at risk.
The Portland Police Bureau has asked the public to contact them if they have information about who might be taking the covers. City officials encourage residents to call in any open meters they see and to be mindful of anyone handling utility hardware who does not appear to be an authorized worker.
