Water, sewer rate increases given reading

by Nathan Arneal
Published 9/10/25

The North Bend City Council set the ball in motion to raise water and sewer rates and fees as it seeks more revenue in the face of multi-million dollar projects looming at the water plant and sewage treatment plant.

Mayor Rod Scott gave the first of three required readings of Ordinance 607 at the Sept. 2 council meeting.

The ordinance updates the water fees – which were last changed in 2005 – with increases of between 50% and 100%.

Water/sewer deposits for renters was increased from $150 to $250. It was found that the old deposit was not enough to cover more than one month if a customer fell behind.

Homeowners are not charged a deposit unless they become delinquent by two or more months.

The tap fee or connection fee for a new water service will be increased from $150 to $300.

Should the ordinance pass, base rates and usage rates will be increased equal amounts every six months starting this October and ending in October 2027.

For residential service, the base rate will increase $2.65 every six months, taking the fee from its current monthly amount of $28.75 to $42. The residential usage fee is currently $3 per 1,000 gallons of water used. That will increase 20 cents every six months to reach $4 in October 2027.

Commercial water base rates, which are currently $41.35, will see five increases of $4.20.

Residential sewer base rates, also currently $28.75, will increase $5.25 each time, putting the end base rate at $55.

The council agreed the gradual rate increases will be more palatable than one big increase.

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