Notice of Proposed Rate Changes

Effective July 1, 2026, if approved

Every year, we evaluate our rates and fees, carefully balancing the need for system updates with affordability. The Budget Committee, comprised of members of the public and the OLWS Finance Director, meets throughout spring to determine the budget for the next fiscal year.

This year, a rate increase is proposed to support necessary improvements, regulatory compliance, and system reliability.

Most Customers Will Pay About $6.47 More Per Month

The average monthly bill is expected to increase by about $6.47. This assumes a monthly water usage of 5 CCF, which is the average for our service area. 

For customers who just receive water service, the expected monthly increase is about $1.82.

Please note that your bill will vary based on your unique usage. Learn more about how to read your bill. Or, if you need help determining your average water usage, call us at (503) 654-7765.

What Changed In This Year's Budget?

This year's rates are designed to maintain our current services while also investing in much-needed infrastructure improvements. Spending on capital projects, such as installing new pipes, has increased to address our aging infrastructure and to plan for the future. These improvements help us maintain service reliability and meet new environmental regulations.

To learn more about the improvements underway across our service area, visit our Capital Improvement Plan or active projects.

What's Driving the Increase?

Why Does Our Infrastructure Need to Be Updated?

Much of our infrastructure (for example, pipes, manholes, lift stations)  was installed 60+ years ago and is reaching the end of its service life.

Our goal is to invest in infrastructure before it completely fails. Ideally, pipes should be replaced at the end of their "service life,"  when replacement or rehabilitation is still less expensive than regular breaks and emergency repairs.

Ultimately, neglecting or delaying infrastructure improvements in the short-term only compounds the community's future infrastructure challenges.

What Happens If You Delay Infrastructure Updates?

Delaying infrastructure investment can result in:

• Less reliable water and wastewater service
• Service disruptions
• Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs)
• Costly emergency repairs

You can think of it like this: when a house's roof begins to fail, the potential damage to the rest of the house increases if repair is delayed. Our goal is to proactively address system issues to prevent any ripple effects.

I'm Having Trouble Paying My Bill. What Can I Do?

We offer two financial assistance programs for qualifying customers. Find more information on our website or call us at (503) 654-7765.

What Are You Doing to Help Control Costs?

Using cost-effective methods when repairing and replacing infrastructure

We aim to use the most cost-effective options possible when upgrading infrastructure.

For example, we often use a method called pipe bursting when replacing sewer pipes. In pipe bursting, a special tool called a bursting head breaks the damaged pipe apart while it's still in the ground and pulls a new pipe into place behind it. This is often less costly than traditional methods, such as open-trench replacement.

SECURING OUTSIDE FUNDING FOR OUR BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

We’ve secured millions in state funding for our new Tertiary Treatment Facility and partnered with elected officials to push for more infrastructure support.