Drinking Water Rates

TVWD proposed a phased  water rate increase. The initial increase of $15.53 per month for a typical single-family residence took effect on November 1, 2023. The second increase, to take effect on November 1, 2024, will be an additional $15.04 per month for a typical single-family residence. The typical single-family residence has a 5/8-inch water meter and uses 5,236 gallons of water, or 7 CCF (hundred cubic feet) per month. Individual water bills will vary based on meter size and individual usage.

*Note: One CCF equals 100 cubic feet of water, or 748 gallons. 

*Note: One CCF equals 100 cubic feet of water, or 748 gallons. 

The Willamette Water Supply Program  is a partnership of TVWD and the cities of Hillsboro and Beaverton. This partnership is designing and constructing the Willamette Water Supply System to provide an additional, resilient water supply for Washington County. When complete, the Willamette Water Supply System will be one of Oregon’s most seismically-resilient water systems—built to better withstand natural disasters, protect public health, and speed regional economic recovery through restoring critical services more quickly. The new system will be completed by July 2026.

Cumulative Willamette Water Supply Program costs are anticipated to be $1.6 billion for planning, engineering, and construction. Oregon and Washington economies are benefiting from the Willamette Water Supply Program: 455 local businesses have worked on the Program, contributing $424 million to the local economy, or 78% of the project costs through 2022. 
 

TVWD recognizes that customers may experience financial hardships that limit the ability to pay a utility bill. TVWD has systems to help customers in a time of need:

• A Customer Emergency Assistance Program provides eligible customers with a one-time per year credit toward their water bill balance. 
• Extended payment arrangements provide you with more time to pay. Extended payment arrangements can be requested via the new Customer Service Portal or by phoning customer service.

More information on both programs can be found at Bill Assistance Programs or contact Customer Service at 503-848-3000 and a TVWD representative can assist you.

In 2022, the Rate Advisory Committee provided the TVWD board with recommendations for additional affordability programs for low-income customers. Those recommendations are in review for future implementation.

Water rates are based on a fixed monthly charge and a volume charge based on how much water a customer uses. The fixed monthly change is based on the meter size, which determines the amount of water that can flow to your home or business: the larger the meter, the greater the flow. The volume charge is based on the amount of water consumed.

Customers who use water in excess of peak water volumes are charged a higher volume charge for the water that exceeds the peaking factor (the peak water use divided by the average daily water use). The reason this additional water costs more is that the water system has to be sized to deliver the higher volumes even if that higher amount is only used once in a while. Having a water rate structure that is broken down by blocks, or amounts of water that people typically use, recovers the costs for oversized infrastructure from only those customers that use it.

In addition to paying their fair share of water usage, new homes and businesses must also pay a system development charge (SDC) to connect to the water system. A typical home within a subdivision would pay more than $9,500, per home, to connect to the water system at the time the home is constructed. A business or large meter customer pays SDCs based on their estimated water use. After the service is in operation, TVWD verifies the customer's actual use. In cases where a commercial customer is using more water capacity than they paid for when the SDC was paid, an additional bill for the actual water capacity in use is collected.

Everybody can make a difference by using water more efficiently without much effort or lifestyle change. With a leak or wasted water, you’re paying for something that you’re not using. Small water use changes in the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom can reduce how much water you use every day.

You can help reduce water use and still have beautiful, healthy landscapes with outside landscaping and irrigation strategies. While it may not seem like much, it all adds up. Learn specific strategies to help conserve water on our conservation page.