Portland sewer rates increased on July 1, 2017, the start of the city's 2017-2018 fiscal year. The average monthly sewer bill for single family residential sewer customers went up $2.06, or 2.95%. The 2.95% rate increase makes Portland's average monthly residential bill for sewer and stormwater services an estimated $71.86. Debt Service for Sewer and Stormwater infrastructure (mentioned above) accounts for about 46.7% or $33.56 of the average monthly bill.

Sewer Services: 58.9%, or $42.30, of the average monthly bill pays for sewage treatment, maintenance, and debt service for the sewer system.

Stormwater Services: 39.8%, or $28.61, of the average monthly bill pays for stormwater treatment, operation, maintenance and debt service of stormwater management facilities.

Portland Harbor: 1.3%, or $0.95, helps fund city participation in the cleanup of the federal superfund site in the Willamette River.

How Environmental Services Invests Sanitary Sewer User Fees

Each dollar of the sanitary sewer user fee pays for the following services:

OPERATE AND MAINTAIN SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS - $0.33
Repair and maintain sewer pipes, pump stations and treatment plant facilities. Operate two treatment plants. Safely dispose of treated wastewater and sewer solids.

PLAN, DESIGN AND MANAGE CONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES - $0.03
Plan, design, engineer, inspect and manage projects to construct new sanitary sewer facilities and replace old facilities.

FINANCE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS - $0.58
Pay private contractors to construct city sanitary sewer facilities. Major project areas include facilities to halt combined sewer overflows into the Willamette River, rehabilitation and replacement of aging sewer pipes and pump stations, and the expansion and upgrade of sewer treatment facilities.

PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE ENVIRONMENT - $0.06
Administer federal, state and local environmental regulations. Support local planning and public education efforts in City watersheds. Inspect and monitor private activities that pose a pollution risk to the environment. Review and approve private development plans.

How Environmental Services Invests Your Stormwater Management Charges

Each dollar of stormwater management charge pays for the following services:

PLAN, DESIGN, CONSTRUCT AND FINANCE STORMWATER FACILITIES - $0.52
Plan, design, engineer, inspect and manage projects to construct new stormwater management facilities or replace old facilities. Pay debt service of construction bonds.

OPERATE AND MAINTAIN STORMWATER FACILITIES, AND TREAT STORMWATER RUNOFF - $0.21
Repair and maintain sewer pipes, ditches, culverts, sumps, sedimentation manholes, water pollution control facilities and ponds.

RESTORE WATERSHED AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - $0.17
Administer federal, state and local environmental regulations. Engage citizens in local planning and public education efforts. Identify capital requirements for stormwater management and the restoration of natural habitat. Initiate projects to clean up the Portland Harbor Superfund site.

PREVENT POLLUTION AND ASSIST DEVELOPMENTS TO MEET STORMWATER STANDARDS - $0.10
Inspect and monitor private activities that pose a pollution risk to the environment. Review and approve private development plans.