Wastewater Fees 

What is wastewater?

Wastewater is the used water that drains out from a buildings plumbing (laundry, sink, toilet, bath, etc.) and is then collected and conveyed to the regional facility for treatment. 


The regional wastewater treatment plant is vital to protecting public health and the environment. The treatment plant removes human waste, chemicals, grease, and other contaminants that are put in our sanitary sewer system. The water goes through a series of mechanical, biological, and chemical processes before being released into the Willamette River. Discharging clean, healthy water into the river is essential to communities downstream that rely on the river for drinking water.


All properties connected to the public wastewater system pay wastewater fees. Eugene provides local wastewater collection services, and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC), a partnership of Lane County and the cities of Eugene and Springfield, operates the regional wastewater collection and treatment facilities (Eugene Code 6.401-6.471).  


Billing Agent

The City of Eugene adopts and administers the stormwater and wastewater service fees. The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) acts only as the City's billing agent per City Charter. To start or stop service, questions about water or electric fees, or if you have general billing questions please contact EWEB.


Select a heading below for additional information about wastewater.

What Are Wastewater User Fees

MWMC’s regional wastewater rates are necessary to fund the operation and maintenance of the existing wastewater treatment facilities and implement planned capital improvement projects. The regional wastewater facilities were designed in the late 1970s to serve the community for 20 years.


In 2004, the MWMC adopted a Facilities Plan that identifies cost-effective solutions for the region’s wastewater needs projected through 2025. The MWMC is investing in significant improvements to provide capacity for community growth, avoid raw sewage overflows caused by rainy weather, and meet new, more stringent regulatory requirements to protect the Willamette River. Both user fees and systems development charges will provide resources to support these investments. 


Maintenance and Improvements

The regional wastewater program is complemented by local collection systems and pump stations maintained by the cities of Eugene and Springfield. The local wastewater user fees is necessary to maintain current operating service levels while also funding necessary capital improvements. Both cities are committed to funding capital improvements that will reduce the amount of water entering the collection system during peak wet weather periods.


How The Fees Are Used

Local and regional wastewater fees pay for the collection and conveyance of wastewater through nearly 850 miles of wastewater lines and for the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities: 

  •  Operate and maintain 31 pump stations (27 local, 4 regional)  
  • Inspect/clean almost 390 miles of wastewater lines 
  • Treat over 12 billion gallons of wastewater per year 
  • Conduct more than 28,000 water quality tests 
  • Process 2,500 dry tons of biosolids 
  • Meet water quality regulations to protect the environment
  • Invest in capital improvements