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Clackamas Water Environment Services' (WES) proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26 totals $247.6 million. The budget supports WES' mission to protect public health, produce clean water, manage stormwater, and recover renewable resources for nearly 200,000 people across our service area. Major investments include $51.5 million in critical infrastructure projects to maintain safe, reliable service and support future growth.
To fund increasing operating and maintenance costs and continue investing in system reliability, modest rate adjustments are proposed. For most residential customers, the combined monthly wastewater and surface water bill is expected to increase by approximately $1.25 per month (about 2%), keeping WES' rates below the regional average.
The WES Budget Committee will meet on May 27, 2025, to review and approve the proposed budget. Following the committee's approval, the Board of County Commissioners (serving as the governing body of WES) will hold a public hearing and consider adoption of the budget and rates in June 2025.
Proposed Rate Adjustments
| Service | Proposed Rate | Existing Rate | Change | Regional Average2 |
| Wastewater (Rate Zone 2 Retail)1 | $ 54.40 | $ 53.60 | $ 0.80 (1.5%) | $ 60.89 |
| Surface Water | $ 9.55 | $ 9.10 | $ 0.45 (4.9%) | $ 16.04 |
| Total Monthly Bill | $ 63.95 | $ 62.70 | $ 1.25 (2.0%) | $ 76.93 |
1 Wastewater rate reflects Rate Zone 2 retail rate, which includes wastewater treatment, local collection, and legacy debt rate components.
2 Area Average reflects rates as of January 1, 2025.
WES Rate Zones
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WES FY 2025-26 Rate Increases FAQ
Most customers that WES bills directly will see an increase of $1.25 per month or $15.00 per year. The impact of the rate increases on your monthly bill will depend on your rate zone and the services you are receiving. Households will pay between $0.00 and $2.25 more per month, depending on the services they are receiving and the Rate Zone they reside in. View a map of WES' rate zones or visit CMap to enter your address and view rate zone details.
135931WES operates as a not-for-profit municipal utility and rates are set to cover the costs of providing wastewater and surface water services, including the costs to build, operate, and maintain WES’ systems. The rate increases are necessary to ensure the sustainable operation and maintenance of WES’ wastewater and surface water infrastructure and help cover the rising costs of treatment, infrastructure improvements, replacement of aging infrastructure, compliance with regulations, and maintaining service reliability.
135931The proposed rates are included in WES’ fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget, which will be considered by WES’ Budget Committee on May 27, 2025. The budget and proposed rates will then be considered by WES’ Board in June. If adopted, the rates would be effective July 1, 2025. Learn more about how you can provide input on WES’ proposed budget.
Customers that are billed monthly will see the increase on the bill they receive for July services in late July/early August. Customers that are billed semi-annually will see the increase on the bill they receive for July through December services in late December 2025.
135931WES' financial management is governed by strict regulatory guidelines and oversight which ensures that the rates collected for wastewater and surface water services are used exclusively for their intended purposes. Each year, we undergo a financial audit by an independent auditing firm, which includes a detailed review of how funds are allocated and spent.
Moreover, WES' annual comprehensive financial reports consistently receive the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award signifies our commitment to transparency and adherence to the highest standards in government financial reporting.
135931Rate increases are determined through a comprehensive analysis and forecasting process that takes place during WES’ annual budget process each year. The rate analysis takes into account various factors, including operational costs, WES’ capital planning, debt service requirements, inflation, and long-term financial sustainability. The WES budget document provides a detailed description of the analysis.
135931Yes, WES’ rates are typically adjusted annually, each July 1, to keep pace with increasing costs. WES’ long term financial plan targets reasonable, predictable annual rate increases to maintain financial viability and avoid rate spikes. Any future rate adjustments will be considered by WES’ Board.
135931WES currently has a Low Income Discount program for qualifying customers. Learn details and apply for that program.
135931As shown in the charts below, WES’ rates are below the average rate charged by neighboring jurisdictions.
