Water and sewer bills going up for Portland residents

(MAY 29, 2025) Starting July 1, Portland residents will pay more for their water and sewer services. The City Council voted 11-1 to raise rates by 6.3%, adding about $8 to $9 to the average monthly bill. Most households will now pay around $160 each month, or nearly $2,000 a year.

City leaders say the increase is needed to fix aging pipes and pumps and to meet state and federal water safety rules. “If we don’t invest now, we’ll pay even more later,” said City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney. Officials say regular maintenance is much cheaper than emergency repairs.

The city will also start charging a 2.9% fee for people who pay their bills with a credit or debit card. Those who pay by cash or check won’t have to pay the extra fee. The city says this change will help cover the cost of processing card payments, which has cost millions over the years.

The higher rates are expected to bring in nearly $440 million over the next year. Ting Lu, the interim head of the Bureau of Environmental Services, said the rate hike is needed because costs are rising faster than the city’s income.

Some council members were concerned about how the increase will affect low-income families. Councilor Dan Ryan, the only one to vote no, said increases should be limited to 2%. However, the city does offer bill discounts and flexible payment options for those who qualify.

City leaders say they are working to make Portland more affordable. “We know this is hard,” said Pirtle-Guiney. “But these changes are necessary to keep our water system running safely and smoothly.”