Portland Water Bill Help Center for Payments, Assistance, Leaks and 2026 Rates
This guide is for Portland customers who need to pay a sewer, stormwater and water bill, avoid a card fee, request more time, apply for help, fix a high bill, start or stop service, or understand why the 2026 bill changed.
Each task below includes the official Portland action link beside the step, so a reader can move from “what does this mean?” to “what do I do now?” without hunting through multiple city pages.
Fast answer: Portland sewer, stormwater and water bills can be paid online through Customer Self Service, by one-time payment, by phone at 503-823-7770 option 1, by mail, or in person at 664 N. Tillamook St. Customer service is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and the walk-in payment center is listed Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., except holidays.
Money-saving move: credit and debit card payments carry a 2.95% processing fee. To avoid that fee, use an electronic payment directly from your bank account when it fits your situation.
Portland Water Bill Quick Facts
Portland Water Bill Action Board: Click the Correct Official Step
This page is built for scroll-first users. Choose the problem, then use the official link inside the card.
I want to pay now
Use Customer Self Service for full account tools or one-time payment if you only need to pay quickly.
Open official pay pageI cannot pay the full bill
Do not wait until shutoff risk. Portland offers small interest-free payment plans and payment arrangements.
Request arrangementI need bill assistance
You may qualify for bill discounts, crisis vouchers, or other assistance. Portland says help may save up to $760 per year plus a $500 crisis bill credit.
Apply for assistanceMy bill is higher than normal
Check for leaks first. Portland says property-side leaks and fixtures are the property owner’s responsibility.
Leak adjustment stepsI’m moving
Start, stop or transfer service online, by phone or by email. Have the service address and responsibility date ready.
Start / stop serviceI want a stormwater discount
If rain from your property safely soaks into the ground, Clean River Rewards may reduce stormwater charges by up to 35%.
Check Clean River RewardsHow to Pay a Portland Sewer, Stormwater and Water Bill
The safest route is to begin on Portland.gov, then use the city’s linked payment systems.
| Payment method | Use it when | Official detail | Action link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Log in online | You want autopay, paperless billing, Pay by Text, usage history, arrangements, or account updates. | Register with your name and account number. | Log in to Customer Self Service |
| One-time online payment | You want to pay without creating or using a login. | Use the official one-time payment link from Portland’s pay page. | Make a one-time payment |
| Phone payment | You want the automated phone system. | Dial 503-823-7770 and select option 1. It is available at all times. | See phone-pay instructions |
| You are paying well before the due date. | Mail to City of Portland, P.O. Box 4216, Portland, OR 97208-4216. | Confirm mailing address | |
| In person | You need direct payment help or a walk-in receipt. | Walk-in Center: 664 N. Tillamook St., Portland, OR 97227. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., except holidays. | See map and visit plan |
| Pay by Text | You want text reminders and payment prompts. | Sign up after logging in. Portland says it will never ask you to share bank or card details by text. | Set up Pay by Text |
How to Avoid Payment Fees and Returned-Payment Restrictions
Card payments cost extra
Credit and debit card payments have a 2.95% processing fee charged by the payment provider.
Read payment fee noteBank payment avoids the card fee
To avoid the 2.95% card fee, make an electronic payment directly from your bank account when that payment method is available to you.
Use account loginReturned payments matter
If two payments are returned in 12 months, Portland says checks and ACH bank-account payments will be restricted for one year.
Confirm returned-payment rulePast-Due Portland Water Bill: What to Do Before It Gets Worse
A past-due utility bill needs action, not panic. Portland specifically tells customers who cannot pay the full bill to contact them.
Call before disconnection risk
Use 503-823-7770, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Ask if your account is current, past due, or at risk.
Open contact detailsRequest a payment arrangement
Arrangements can be requested online, by phone, or by email. Online setup usually takes about 15 minutes.
Request arrangementAsk about the correct arrangement length
Most every-other-month or quarterly accounts must pay the outstanding balance in full 14 days before the extract bill date. Monthly commercial accounts can request up to 30 extra days.
Read arrangement rulesIf service is disconnected, call
Portland says some situations require phone help, including moving, pending disconnection due to non-payment, or disconnected service.
Call 503-823-7770Past-due call script
Portland Bill Assistance: Discount, Crisis Credit and Interest-Free Plans
Financial assistance
Portland says customers may qualify for the financial assistance program, which can help save up to $760 per year.
Apply for assistanceCrisis bill credit
The city says eligible customers experiencing a personal crisis may receive crisis assistance credits up to $500.
See assistance summaryInterest-free payment plans
Payment arrangements can extend a due date, break a bill into payments, or help a customer catch up.
Start payment plan2026 Portland Water, Sewer and Stormwater Bill Changes
Use this section when a reader asks why their Portland utility bill changed after July 1, 2026.
Sewer and stormwater
Sewer and stormwater rates increased 5.15% starting July 1, 2026.
Environmental Services ratesTypical bill impact
The city says the typical single-family residential bill increases 6.36%, or about $10.20 per month.
What your bill pays forMinimum bill
Starting July 1, 2026, a minimum bill applies to all sewer, stormwater and water accounts. It equals half of the base charge for the billing cycle.
Minimum bill detailsHigh Portland Water Bill Checklist
Check toilets first
- Toilet leaks are one of the biggest causes of high water use.
- Use food coloring in the tank and wait without flushing.
- If color appears in the bowl, repair the leak.
Check property-side leaks
- Portland maintains pipes up to and including the water meter.
- Broken pipes and fixtures on the customer side are the property owner’s responsibility.
- Check hose bibs, irrigation, water heater area, crawlspace and basement.
Check usage history
- Account details can show water use and billing details for each meter reading from the last three years.
- Compare current use to the same season last year.
- Remember: 1 CCF equals 748 gallons.
Leak Adjustment: What to Do After You Fix the Leak
Portland may adjust a bill when a property-side leak increased usage, but the request comes after repair.
| Requirement | What it means | Official action link |
|---|---|---|
| Repair first | Customers may request adjustments after leaks are repaired. A city staff person checks the meter to verify the leak has been fixed. | Leak adjustment page |
| Act within 30 days | Customers must make reasonable efforts to locate the leak and begin repairs within 30 days of notification of increased usage. | Adjustment eligibility |
| Finish within 90 days | Repairs must be completed within 90 days after notification, unless an extraordinary circumstance is considered through appeal. | Repair timeline |
| Prepare details | Have customer name, account number, service address, leak discovery date, repair date, leak type, and repair explanation ready. | Email Customer Service |
Clean River Rewards: Reduce the Stormwater Part of the Bill
This matters because Portland’s utility bill includes stormwater charges, not just water usage.
Who should check it?
Single-family, duplex, multifamily, commercial, industrial or institutional customers that manage rain safely on-site.
Open Clean River RewardsMaximum discount
The program can reduce stormwater charges by up to 35% when your property safely manages stormwater.
Estimate discountExamples that may qualify
Rain gardens, swales, lawns, landscaped areas, drywells, French drains, soakage trenches and other safe on-site stormwater solutions.
See qualifying solutionsStart, Stop or Transfer Portland Sewer, Stormwater and Water Service
New property owner
Prepare your name, service address, legal responsibility date, mailing address, phone number and email.
Start service onlineSold your property
Prepare old service address, new owner name from closing documents, stop-service date, final-bill address and contact info.
Stop service onlineLandlord or tenant
Prepare responsible person’s name, service address, account number if known, responsibility start/end date, landlord name and mailing address.
Transfer serviceWant all water charges stopped?
Stopping service is not the same as killing a meter. Permanent service removal has major cost and property-value implications.
Read meter kill detailsAccount Number, Usage History, Provider Lookup and Billing Appeal
Account number
All Portland utility account numbers are 10 digits long and begin with 2.
Account number helpUsage history
Customer Self Service shows water use and billing details for each meter reading from the last three years.
View account detailsProvider lookup
If you are not sure Portland is your provider, use the Regional Water Providers Consortium lookup tool.
Find water providerBilling appeal
If customer service cannot resolve a billing concern, Portland says you may file a formal written appeal at no cost.
See appeal policy menuPortland Walk-In Payment Center Map and Visit Plan
Use the map for the listed walk-in payment center at 664 N. Tillamook St., Portland, OR 97227. Bring your bill, account number, payment method, ID if needed, and any leak or assistance documents.
Best for
In-person payment, direct account help, urgent bill questions, or payment proof.
Before you go
Check holidays and current office status. The listed walk-in hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ask before leaving
“Is my account current now, and is there any remaining balance, restriction, or pending payment issue?”
Official Portland Utility Links Used in This Guide
Portland Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my Portland water bill online?
Use Portland’s official sewer, stormwater and water bill pay page. You can log in to Customer Self Service or make a one-time payment without logging in.
What phone number do I call to pay a Portland utility bill?
Call 503-823-7770 and select option 1 for the automated phone payment system. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.
Is there a fee to pay a Portland water bill by card?
Yes. Portland says credit and debit card payments include a 2.95% processing fee. To avoid this fee, use an electronic payment directly from your bank account when available.
Where can I pay a Portland water bill in person?
The listed walk-in payment center is 664 N. Tillamook St., Portland, OR 97227. Portland lists in-person payment hours as Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays.
What should I do if I cannot pay my Portland water bill?
Contact Portland Water Bureau Customer Service at 503-823-7770 or PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov. You can also request a payment arrangement or apply for financial assistance.
How long does a Portland payment arrangement take?
Portland says setting up a payment arrangement usually takes about 15 minutes. It can be requested online, by phone, or by email.
Why did my Portland utility bill increase in 2026?
Starting July 1, 2026, Portland increased sewer and stormwater rates by 5.15% and water rates by 8.1%. The typical single-family residential bill increase was listed as 6.36%, or about $10.20 per month.
Can I get a Portland water bill adjustment for a leak?
Possibly. Customers may qualify after repairing property-side leaks that impacted utility bills. Portland requires repair details and may check the meter to verify the leak has been fixed.
What is Clean River Rewards?
Clean River Rewards is Portland’s stormwater discount program. If rain from your property safely soaks into the ground instead of entering the sewer and stormwater system, you may receive up to a 35% discount on stormwater charges.
How do I find my Portland utility account number?
Portland says all account numbers are 10 digits long and begin with the number 2. Use the account number from your bill when registering online, requesting help, or asking about payment arrangements.