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.
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.
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.
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.
The Eugene Water & Electric Board has a systems development charge (SDC) for all new or
expanded water connections.
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.
Get answers to some of your frequently asked rate questions.