The Portland City Council has approved changes in the way the city charges for stormwater management services in Multnomah County Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District No. 1, and Peninsula Drainage District No. 2. 

The drainage districts currently assess district ratepayers for stormwater management services under an agreement with the city. Because drainage district ratepayers pay far less for stormwater management services than other Portland ratepayers, Environmental Services terminated the agreement and proposed to begin directly billing drainage district ratepayers for stormwater management. 

In summer 2012, Environmental Services proposed to start billing district ratepayers directly beginning November 1, 2012 at 50% of the current off-site stormwater rate and 100% of the new off-site rate beginning on July 1, 2013. 

The Portland City Council held a public meeting on September 5, 2012 to consider the proposal and to take testimony from drainage district ratepayers, representatives of the drainage districts and city staff. 

After hearing testimony, the City Council approved an amended billing plan that includes the following changes:

• Multnomah County Drainage District agreed to extend the existing Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the city for one year
• Environmental Services will postpone direct billing of drainage district customers for stormwater management until July 1, 2013.
• The city will phase in stormwater charges over four years as follows:
  • 25% of the approved off-site stormwater management charge beginning July 1, 2013
  • Rate will increase 25% every year on July 1 until drainage district customers are paying 100% of the off-site stormwater management charge beginning July 1, 2016
• The city will not bill drainage district customers for on-site stormwater management.

In spring 2013, Environmental Services will notify drainage district ratepayers of the billing changes that start on July 1, 2013.

For More Information

Call Stormwater and Sewer Billing Customer Service at 503-823-7124 with questions or concerns and for information about low-income sewer billing assistance for residential ratepayers, impervious area maps, and monthly rate estimates for commercial properties. 

Review the city ordinance that establishes stormwater management rates and authorizes direct billing in the drainage districts.

View the Cost Allocation Study that was the basis for separating on-site and off-site stormwater charges.