Portland utility bills rise July 1 with new flood safety fee

Portland utility bills are higher now after the city’s July 1 rate reset. The Water Bureau says sewer and stormwater rates rose 5.15% and water rates rose 8.1%, which lifts the typical single-family residential bill by 6.36%, or about $10.20 a month.

The exact change depends on use, property and account type. The city says the money covers operating, maintaining and improving drinking water, sewer and stormwater systems, including aging pipes, pump stations, treatment facilities and long-term work such as the Bull Run Filtration Project.

New flood safety fee is also on bills

Portland also added a Flood Safety Benefit Fee to utility bills on July 1. The fee is collected through the utility bill, but it is not a water, sewer or stormwater charge. It funds the city’s required payments to the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District for levees, pump stations and other flood-protection infrastructure along the Columbia River.

For a typical single-family home billed quarterly, the fee is $3.60, or about $1.20 a month. For nonresidential customers, it is 0.9% of the rest of the sewer, stormwater and water bill.

What customers can do if the higher bill is hard to pay

The city says help is available through bill discounts, crisis vouchers and interest-free payment plans. Because the charges are based on customer class and usage, some accounts will see larger increases than others.

For Portland residents and businesses, the July 1 reset is now in effect and will continue on future bills.

Sources

• Portland Water Bureau — rate increase notice (June 24, 2026)