Portland Water District considers 7.4% rate hike amid infrastructure upgrades

PORTLAND (WGME) — Water bills could be going up starting on January 1st next year.

The Portland Water District has begun the process for adjusting water rates for residents.

The Board of Trustees held a meeting on Monday night.

Currently, the typical monthly water bill for residents is about $30, and the proposed increase would add $1.92 to this amount.

The draft budget for the water district in 2026 includes this rate increase, in part to pay for an upgrade to the water treatment facility and to replace old water meters.

All the board members voted yes on Monday night to move the process to raise water rates about 7%, with some expressing their thoughts on the proposal.

“The one thing we have is aging infrastructure which is really bad. 100 year old pipes are out on the streets, delivering water that is not going to make it for a long time, so I share your concerns,” Portland Water District Board of Trustees Member Daniel Willett said.

The water district says Monday nights vote is just the start of the approval process.

“There will be a whole public notice project, mailing to customers with detailed information. Also, we will have a public hearing, so there will be plenty of opportunity for customers to get more information and additional details and to ask questions and share feedback,” director of communications and public relations for the Portland Water District Michelle Clements said.

The board also discussed a major meter replacement project that would see about 55,000 new water meters installed over the next three years.

The water district says the new meters are more efficient and have fewer leaks, and the existing ones are too old.

“It’s been nearly a couple decades since our last full meter replacement project and the equipment was at it’s planned service life, so it was time to replace them,” director of communications and public relations for the Portland Water District Michelle Clements said.

A public hearing will be held on November 10th about the increase in water rates.