Wastewater Fees

About Wastewater Fees

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).  


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 increase in Eugene’s 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.


Proposed Wastewater Fee Increase July 2023 & July 2024

 

Proposed Local Wastewater User Fees Increase

The City Manager is proposing to increase local wastewater user fees by 11%, effective July 1, 2023, and 6%, effective July 1, 2024. 

 

City of Eugene is scheduled to hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed fee increase on May 10, 2023, at noon.  Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted orally at the public hearing using virtual meeting technology.  Information about online or other options for participation in the virtual public hearing will be available by 5 p.m. on May 10, 2023, at https://www.eugene-or.gov/1972/Public-Meetings-Calendar.

 

Comments on the proposed amendments may also be submitted in writing to Susan Weixelman, Public Works Financial Services Manager, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 370, Eugene, Oregon, 97401, or via e-mail to CEPWAUTILITYADMIN@ci.eugene.or.us. To be considered, written and email comments must be received by 5 p.m. on May 8, 2023.

 

FY24-and-FY25-Proposed-Admin-Order-58-23-20-for-Wastewater-with-Exhibits-A-and-B

 

Proposed Regional Wastewater User Fees Increase

The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) anticipates a 4.5% increase in regional user fees, effective July 2023. 

 

Please visit http://www.mwmcpartners.org/meetings/ to access the MWMC Meeting Agendas.

 

Proposed Typical Residential Monthly Bill - July 2023 (FY24)

(Assumes 5,000 gallons monthly usage)

Basic Charge (MWMC)

$15.16

Flow-based Charge (MWMC)

$15.08 ($3.016 x 5 kgal)

Total Regional Fee

$30.24

Flow-Based Fee

$15.10 ($3.020 x 5 kgal)

Total Monthly Fee (Regional and City)

$45.34


Wastewater Monthly Fee Schedule

(Current rates effective July 2022)

 Customers pay a combined fee which includes a basic MWMC (regional) flat charge per month and a flow-based fee, calculated on the amount of water used and customer category.  


The City of Eugene adopts and administers the stormwater and wastewater service fees. EWEB acts only as the City’s billing agent per City Charter.


Basic Monthly Fee

A basic MWMC (regional) charge of $14.51 per month.


Flow-based Monthly Fee Schedule

The flow-based fee is the combination of City of Eugene and MWMC (regional) wastewater service rates per 1,000 gallons (1 kgal) of water used. Customer categories are based upon the strength and characteristics of wastewater discharged to the public sewer system. 

  

Residential

  

Commercial 

/Industrial

Customers

  

Service Category

All Residential Customers

Low Strength 400*

Medium Strength 800*

High Strength 1,200*

Very High Strength 1,600*

Super High Strength >1,600*

MWMC

$2.886

$3.880

$5.652

$8.020

$10.395

$12.765

City of Eugene

$2.721

$2.721

$2.721

$2.721

$2.721

$2.721

Total

$5.607

$6.601

$8.373

$10.741

$13.116

$15.486

*Combined biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids in milligrams per liter mg/L

Wastewater Bills Vary Summer to Winter

Eugene uses a flow-based averaging procedure that acknowledges that some of the water used during summer months (May—November) may not enter the wastewater system. Wastewater charges for these months are based on the previous winter’s average monthly use or on the actual water used, whichever is less. Wastewater charges on bills issued during the winter months (December—April) are based on actual water meter readings. 

Typical Residential Monthly Bill

(Assumes 5,000 gallons monthly usage)
Basic Charge (MWMC) $14.51
Flow-based Charge (MWMC) $14.43
($2.886 x 5 kgal)
Total Regional Fee $28.94
Flow-based Fee (City) $13.61
($2.721 x 5 kgal)
Total Monthly Fee (Regional and City) $42.55

How Wastewater 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 35,000 water quality tests 
  • Process 2,000 dry tons of biosolids 
  • Meet water quality regulations to protect the environment
  • Invest in capital improvements

Additional Resources