Dear Valued Customer,
Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD), your drinking water provider, will conduct a water system improvement project in the Blackhawk Drive area from October 14 to November 6, 2026.
The project will replace aging infrastructure and move your home to a different water pressure zone. As a result, the water pressure at your water meter will decrease. The new pressure is appropriate for your home and can help reduce stress on your plumbing, fixtures, appliances, and water service line.
Project Overview
TVWD will replace and relocate an aging pressure regulator valve (PRV) and related equipment in the public right-of-way on NW Blackhawk Dr.
The work will include:
- Disconnecting the existing PRV from the water system and abandoning its underground vault in place near 11864 NW Blackhawk Dr.
- Installing a new PRV, vault, and connecting piping near 11548 NW Blackhawk Dr.
A PRV controls water pressure as water moves through the distribution system. The new PRV will help TVWD manage pressure, accommodate differences in elevation, and provide reliable service to customers in the area.
The work area is shown in red on the map below.
What to Expect During Construction
Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No work is planned on weekends or holidays.
During construction, you may notice:
- Construction noise, dust, and minor vibration
- Traffic delays or changes near the work areas
- Temporary changes to sidewalk or pedestrian routes
- Parking restrictions near work areas
- Construction vehicles, equipment, and materials
- A large truck delivering the new underground vault. This delivery may require temporary traffic control, reduced access, or brief delays while the vault is unloaded and installed.
- A drone documenting construction progress
Mail, deliveries, and garbage collection are expected to continue as usual.
Temporary Water Service Shutoff
Water service to some homes will be temporarily shut off while crews connect the new PRV to the existing water system and disconnect the existing PRV.
If your home will be affected, TVWD will notify you in advance with the expected date, timing, and duration of the interruption.
How Will the Water Pressure Change Affect My Home?
As part of the project, TVWD evaluated the water pressure zones serving properties in the area and determined that your home can be reliably served by a lower pressure zone.
Water pressure is managed based on the elevation of properties within the water system. TVWD uses different pressure zones to provide appropriate pressure to homes at different elevations.
For your home:
- Your current water pressure at the meter is approximately 116 to 133 pounds per square inch (PSI).
- After the project, your water pressure is expected to be approximately 60 to 77 PSI.
- This pressure range is appropriate for residential water service and is expected to provide adequate pressure for your home.
- Lowering the pressure can reduce stress on household plumbing, fixtures, appliances, and water service lines.
Oregon's plumbing code establishes 80 PSI as the point above which a pressure regulator is required for applicable plumbing systems.
The pressure-zone change will affect 21 homes in your neighborhood, including yours. The affected properties are shown in yellow on the map below.
What About My Home's Pressure-Reducing Valve?
The PRV TVWD is replacing is part of the public water system. Separately, some homes have a customer-owned pressure-reducing valve (PRV), which lowers incoming water pressure to a level appropriate for the home's plumbing.
Because the water pressure supplied to your home will be lower after the pressure-zone change, your existing customer-owned PRV may no longer be needed.
You do not need to take any action before the project. After the project is complete, TVWD recommends having your PRV checked by a licensed plumber. The plumber can determine whether it is still needed and whether it is operating properly.
How do I know if I have a PRV?
A customer-owned PRV is usually installed where the water service enters your home, often near the main water shutoff valve.
If you had a home inspection when you purchased your property, the inspection report may identify a PRV. If you are unsure whether your home has one, a licensed plumber can inspect your plumbing and determine whether a PRV is installed and working properly.
Do I Need to Do Anything?
No action is required before the pressure-zone change.
After the project is complete, if you notice ongoing or unexpectedly low water pressure, contact TVWD at (503) 848-3000 or CustomerService@TVWD.org.
TVWD can help determine whether the issue may be related to the water system. If needed, a licensed plumber can inspect your home's plumbing and customer-owned PRV.
Why Is This Project Needed?
TVWD regularly evaluates its water system to identify infrastructure that needs to be replaced or upgraded. Based on the age, condition, and material of the existing PRV, TVWD identified it for replacement.
The new PRV and related infrastructure will:
- Improve TVWD's ability to manage water pressure
- Better accommodate differences in elevation within the water system
- Extend the life of the water system infrastructure
- Reduce maintenance needs
- Improve overall system operation
The $260,000 project is funded through existing water rates and is part of TVWD's ongoing investment in reliable, high-quality water service.
Questions?
Contact TVWD Communications:
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we prepare for these important improvements to your neighborhood's water system.
