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Water rates

For nearly a century, the Eugene Water & Electric Board has provided its customers with high-quality water services at reasonable rates. As Oregon's largest citizen-owned municipal utility, we strive to keep you informed about any changes in your water rates.

May 2009 rate actions

Earlier this year EWEB's commissioners approved an increase in water rates that will go into effect on May 1,2009. Commissioners said that while it was a difficult decision to raise customers' water costs during the current economic downturn, the additional funding was needed to upgrade EWEB's water system and put the utility on sound financial footing. The rate action will add $3.44 to the average residential water customer's monthly bill (based on 9,000 gallons of monthly consumption), beginning in May. The increase will amount to less than 4 percent of the average customer's combined electric and water bill. The overall water-only increase is 18 percent. There is no proposed increase in electric rates this spring.

Even with the rate increase, EWEB customers pay among the lowest water costs of 11 comparable cities in western Oregon and Washington. Now, rates are the second-lowest. With the May increase to $22.80 for the average residential customer, Eugene residents will pay the third-lowest among the comparable cities. Portland's water costs are double what they are in Eugene, Seattle residents pay almost $50 for the same amount of water, and Salem residents pay 50 percent more for water.

Revenues raised by the water rate increase will be used to continue upgrading EWEB's aging water system; offset the loss of the Hynix, the utility's largest water customer; and rebuild reserves. The additional revenue needs were included in the 2009 budget approved by EWEB commissioners in December 2008.

Rates

Your monthly water bill is composed of three main parts: the Basic Charge, Consumption Charge and an Elevation Charge, if applicable.

The monthly Basic Charge is based on meter size and covers the cost of services that must be provided regardless of how much water you use per month. This includes meter reading, billing and customer service.

The Consumption Charge applies to the amount of water you use per month and is expressed in thousands of gallons, or "kgals."

The Elevation Charge, if applicable, recovers the cost of pumping water to higher-elevation customers.

Residential service

General service

Customers outside of the City of Eugene (except for water districts)

Wastewater and Stormwater charges

EWEB is appointed by the City Charter to collect and remit to the City of Eugene all charges for wastewater and stormwater services. EWEB has no relationship with the City's wastewater and stormwater system operation or rates and acts only as the City's billing agent. For more information about these charges, call 541-682-4900 or visit the City of Eugene's website.

Water system development charges

The Eugene Water & Electric Board has a systems development charge (SDC) for all new or expanded water connections.

Other water rates

For other water rates and charges, visit EWEB's Policies and Procedures Manual (Chapter III). The manual is in PDF format and contains left-hand bookmarks and links in the table of contents for easier navigation to the rate schedules.

Questions and answers about your water rates

Get answers to some of your frequently asked rate questions.