In July 2024, all customers were moved from bimonthly to monthly billing.

For wastewater services, customers are billed a fixed rate plus an average winter consumption-based rate. Rates are reset every July 1.

The bill has two components:

1. Fixed Rate for Wastewater Collection and Treatment: fixed per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). 
    
2. Consumption-based Rate: based on an average of your winter water use. This is a consumption-based charge set annually on July 1 based on an average of your previous winter water consumption (December-March). If you are conservative with your winter water use (December - March), it will help reduce your wastewater bill for the entire following year. Your wastewater rates are not impacted by summer water use for purposes such as lawn and/or garden irrigation. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you experience a water leak anytime during the year, please contact OLWS immediately to ensure the charges for the increased water consumption are addressed. If the leak occurs in the winter, it will affect your bill the next summer and throughout the year unless staff addresses it.

Questions about your bill? Please contact us at (503) 654-7765 or email billing@olws.org.

Example Bill

Here is an example of how the wastewater portion of your bill would be calculated. In this example, the household had a 12 ccf winter average:

Fixed Rates - Per Equivalent Dwelling Unit

Usage Rates - Based on Winter Average