Portland residents face some of the highest water costs in the nation, and these expenses are about to increase further. Starting next month, the Portland Water Bureau will implement a 3% surcharge for customers who pay their bills via autopay using a credit or debit card. In a recent letter to customers, the bureau announced, “Effective June 3, 2025, customers utilizing their credit or debit cards for online, phone, or autopay payments for sewer, stormwater, and water bills will incur a processing fee.”
This fee, which amounts to 2.95% of the transaction (with a minimum charge of $1.25), is imposed by the payment processing company, Invoice Cloud, rather than the City of Portland itself. Customers can avoid these charges by opting for electronic payments directly from their bank accounts.
Additionally, the Portland City Council has approved an 8.1% hike in water rates, with the new rates taking effect on July 1, 2025. Since Portland consolidates its billing for drinking water, stormwater, and sewer services, the overall increase stands at 6.3%, according to Brandon Zero, the public information officer for the Portland Water Bureau.
In terms of combined water and sewer costs, Portland ranks as one of the most expensive cities globally. A 2019 study revealed that Portland has the third-highest combined water and wastewater bills worldwide, averaging $8.80 per cubic meter, trailing only Seattle and Essen, Germany. The city’s steep rates have been attributed to aging infrastructure and rising construction costs.
The Portland Water Bureau primarily funds its operations through user fees from residential, commercial, and industrial customers, rather than general taxes. These fees cover operating costs, maintenance, and necessary capital improvements. To finance major projects, such as new treatment facilities or significant pipe replacements, the city issues bonds that are repaid over time through these user fees.
