Proposed Water Rates for 2025 & 2026

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The City of Hillsboro Water Department carefully manages drinking water rates and strives to ensure equity and affordability for all customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial users.

Water rates are designed so all customers pay their fair share based on how they use the City’s water system and how much water they use.

Community Advisory Panel Recommendations

To prepare for the 2025 & 2026 rate setting process, Hillsboro Water formed a Community Advisory Panel where community members had the opportunity to give their informed perspective on improving single-family and multi-family residential rate structures.

The panel recommended that the City:

  • Provide residents with opportunities to save through water conservation by:
    • Keeping the fixed charge the same

    • Creating a new lowest-priced tier for the first 3,000 gallons (4ccf) of water use.
  • Encourage water conservation in multi-family complexes by increasing rates when water use is above the winter average during peak water use months

These recommended changes are included in the 2025 & 2026 Water Rates Proposal.

For details, visit our Water Rates webpage to find the full Community Advisory Panel recommendations.

Rate Increases Proposed

In addition to the changes above, Hillsboro Water is proposing water rate increases for all customers in 2025 & 2026. All community members were invited to provide input during the official public comment period, August 19 through September 19, 2024. Public comment is accepted by the Utilities Commission year-round. These increases to invest in an additional water source and complete critical projects for the efficient operation of Hillsboro’s water system.

For more information, visit our Water Rates webpage for more information.

The City of Hillsboro Water Department carefully manages drinking water rates and strives to ensure equity and affordability for all customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial users.

Water rates are designed so all customers pay their fair share based on how they use the City’s water system and how much water they use.

Community Advisory Panel Recommendations

To prepare for the 2025 & 2026 rate setting process, Hillsboro Water formed a Community Advisory Panel where community members had the opportunity to give their informed perspective on improving single-family and multi-family residential rate structures.

The panel recommended that the City:

  • Provide residents with opportunities to save through water conservation by:
    • Keeping the fixed charge the same

    • Creating a new lowest-priced tier for the first 3,000 gallons (4ccf) of water use.
  • Encourage water conservation in multi-family complexes by increasing rates when water use is above the winter average during peak water use months

These recommended changes are included in the 2025 & 2026 Water Rates Proposal.

For details, visit our Water Rates webpage to find the full Community Advisory Panel recommendations.

Rate Increases Proposed

In addition to the changes above, Hillsboro Water is proposing water rate increases for all customers in 2025 & 2026. All community members were invited to provide input during the official public comment period, August 19 through September 19, 2024. Public comment is accepted by the Utilities Commission year-round. These increases to invest in an additional water source and complete critical projects for the efficient operation of Hillsboro’s water system.

For more information, visit our Water Rates webpage for more information.

  • About Water Rates

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    Hillsboro Water carefully manages drinking water rates and strives to ensure equity and affordability for all customers. Water rates are designed so all customers pay their fair share based on how they use the City’s water system and how much water they use.

    Water rates provide funding for Hillsboro Water’s top priorities – protecting public health, maintaining essential infrastructure, and developing an additional water supply for future generations.

    Visit our Water Rates webpage to learn more.


  • City Utility Bill

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    Hillsboro’s drinking water rates make up approximately 38% of a residential customer’s total utility bill. Other utility services on the bill include sanitary sewer, surface water management, and transportation.

    A 2024 monthly utility bill for a typical residential customer costs about $132.71:

    • Drinking Water: $50.34, or 37.9% of the utility bill— Rates Set by Utilities Commission
    • Sanitary Sewer: $58.40 — Rates set by City Council & Clean Water Services
    • Surface Water Management: $14.86 — Rates set by City Council & Clean Water Services
    • Transportation: $9.11 — Rate set by City Council

  • Value of Hillsboro Tap Water

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    A residential customer in Hillsboro typically uses about 6,000 gallons of water each month, which currently costs about $50.34 (or $1.62 a day).

    Six-thousand gallons includes ALL the water-related activities below:

    • 120 five-minute showers
    • 26 loads of laundry
    • 600 toilet flushes
    • 15 baths
    • 25 dishwasher loads
    • 20 small lawn waterings


  • How Hillsboro’s Water Rates Compare with Nearby Cities

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    With the proposed 2025 and 2026 adjustments, Hillsboro’s water rates will continue to be one of the lowest among local agencies.

    Comparison: Monthly Drinking Water Costs for a Single-Family Residential Customer Using 6,000 Gallons of Water (8 ccf)

    • City of Tualatin: $43.40
    • City of Forest Grove: $39.50
    • City of Hillsboro (Current): $50.34
    • City of Hillsboro (Proposed for 2025): $53.18
    • City of Hillsboro (Proposed for 2026): $56.22
    • City of Beaverton: $68.70
    • City of Portland: $72.24
    • City of North Plains: $84.10
    • Tualatin Valley Water District: $94.57



  • Utility Bill Assistance

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    The City of Hillsboro is committed to helping customers in need. If you are having trouble paying your utility bill, visit the City’s Utility Assistance webpage or call 503-681-6163 to see if you qualify for a flexible payment plan or bill relief options.

    If you do not qualify under this program, there are many other local assistance and affordability resources that may be helpful. Visit our Community Resources webpage for information on reduced garbage rates, energy & rent assistance, food pantries, and more.

Page last updated: 03 Oct 2024, 09:00 AM