2026-09-07 · socialism
Portland Water Rates Will Climb as the City's Largest Wholesale Customers Disconnect From Bull Run Reservoir
Willamette Week reported that Portland water rates rose 8.1% and sewer and stormwater rates 5.15% beginning July 1, increases the Water Bureau attributed in part to Gresham and the Rockwood Water People's Utility District leaving the Bull Run customer base. The Bull Run Filtration Project is now expected to conclude by 2029 at a cost of $2.58 billion. A correction to the article states the council vote authorizing additional debt for the project was opposed by Councilors Angelita Morillo and Mitch Green and Council President Jamie Dunphy; Green posted September 3 that he voted no because household water rates "will go up about 10% for several years."
The Tualatin Valley Water District, Portland's largest wholesale customer with 166,000 residents, is next scheduled to leave the city's water system.