Utility Rates

Utility Rates as of July 1, 2023

The City utilities for potable water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater services are separate and distinct functions funded by user fees. Each are self-funding bearing the costs of providing that utility service and excludes the costs of general fund operations.

» Click here to learn about Troutdale's sewer rate discount program

Each year, the utilities are facing increasing costs from three directions: labor costs, regulatory increases, and capital projects. Additionally, retirement rates, union wages, and health insurance benefit costs all continue to grow. Compliance cost also increase for providing our community with safe drinking water and treated water discharges to the Sandy River. Each year the system infrastructure is another year older needing more money to maintain, upgrade, rehabilitate and replace the ever aging pipes, pumps, tanks, taps and drainage systems. New water and sewer systems are paid for by developers at time of development, but once accepted by the city the ongoing costs of operations and maintenance of those new pipelines becomes the responsibility of the city which is actually you, the monthly rate payer.

Water is the life blood of our community; without it we could not exist. The systems for delivering and disposing of this essential element, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, are local services we all use many times each day, often taken for granted, and commonly undervalue. It’s like good health; most of us take it for granted until we no longer possess it. The City of Troutdale is managing with all seriousness the local resources we have to sustain our community and the city from top to bottom appreciates your support.

City utility rates have not changed for 24 months while significantly higher inflation has occurred during this time since the last utility rate change. The area annual CPI-U for 2021 was 6.2% and 6.8% for 2022 and has increased more than 11% since utility rates were last increased.

The City Council has approved an 8.5% utility rate increase due to the increased operating costs for labor, materials and supplies, and capital maintenance, costs which are necessary to maintain service reliability and the public health and safety of the community.

For the new rate year beginning July 1, 2023:

The water rate is increased from $5.07 to $5.50 per 1,000 gallons used. For a residential bill based on an average of 7,000 gallons per month this will be an increase of $3.01 per month or $36.12 per year.
The sanitary sewer rate is increased from $49.74 to $53.97 per equivalent residential unit. For an average residential customer based on 1 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) this will be an increase of $4.23 per month or $50.79 per year. Commercial and industrial rates will increase proportionally according to their respective Equivalent Residential Units.
Storm sewer rate increases from $0.00313 to $0.00340 per square foot of impervious surface. All single family residential customers are billed for storm sewer based on a standardized assumption of 2,700 square feet of impervious surface. For a single family residential customer the storm rate increases from $8.44 to $9.18 per month, an increase of $0.74 per month, or $8.88 per year.

That these utility rate increases are needed to support of service reliability and meet the increased costs of operations and maintenance, increased regulatory requirements and required infrastructure replacement and improvements are estimated to cost $7.98 per month for the average Troutdale household.

The Troutdale Municipal Code establishes water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utility fees and authorizes the City Council to change the amount of the fees by Resolution.

Senior Citizen 50% Sewer Rate Discount Program

Residential utility customers over the age of 65 may qualify for a 50% reduction of the standard monthly sanitary sewer charge.

To be eligible for a rate reduction:

The utility service address must be occupied and used by the applicant as his or her principal residence during the period of the rate reduction.
The utility service is in the name of the applicant.
No City sewer and other City assessments may be in arrears on the property.
Must complete the application and provide documentation of age and income, such as a drivers’ license and income tax returns.
The applicant’s income may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Multnomah County Median Family Income (MFI) for the size of the household:

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
2023 50% MFI:	$39,500	$45,150	$50,800	$56,400	$60,950	$65,450

The applicant agrees to cooperate in any investigation regarding the program eligibility requirements.

The rate discount will expire in June each year. It is the responsibility of the applicant to re-apply annually to be considered for a continued discount. You may lose the rate discount at any time if your utility account becomes past due.

The City Council is redirecting limited general government tax revenue to subsidize this rate reduction program. Therefore, the program must be closely monitored, and violations or misrepresentations may be subject to fines and or fraud prosecution in municipal court.

Disabled Citizen - 50% Sewer Rate Discount Program

Residential utility customers who receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may qualify for a 50% reduction of the standard monthly sanitary sewer charge.