Utility Billing

Utility Rate Changes - Effective July 1, 2025

The Cornelius City Council adopted utility rate changes at their regular meeting on July 7, 2025. The new rates are based on the City's need for current and future service and maintenance increases made by Clean Water Services (CWS) for their sanitary sewer and surface water rates. The newly proposed changes can be viewed by opening the Utility Rate sheet at the bottom of this page.

Utility Billing

The City utility accounts are billed on a monthly basis. Water meters are read based on the same schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your bill please contact the utility department at 503-357-9112.

Payment Options & Drop Box Information

The utility billing department currently accepts cash, cashier checks, money orders, checks, debits, and credits as form of payment on accounts. You can also sign up for automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account.

As a convenience to our customers, payments can also be placed in the drop box located in the parking lot of our office at 1355 N Barlow Street.

We also offer online billing. Just click the Online Utility Billing link on the left hand side of the page.

Water Rates & Information

(Last increase - July 1, 2025)

Customers are billed a flat monthly fee based on the meter size and type of occupancy, plus consumption.

If you are concerned that you may have a leak or have other service-related questions, please contact the utility department to request that your meter be checked.

View information on conserving water.

Sewer Rates & Information

(Last increase - July 1, 2025)

Sewer charges are based on the rates mandated by the Clean Water Services. There is also a City sewer fee.

Residential customers are charged a flat monthly base rate per dwelling unit. Commercial customers are charged based on the number of fixture units being served.

There is also a flat monthly billing for consumption. This is calculated by averaging the amount of water used between the months of November and April. This is the fairest method, since during that time the majority of water entering the house will leave via the sewer system. This rate is calculated every July and is a set rate for one year.

If you have experienced a leak or some unusual one-time water loss, you may be eligible for a reduction in your winter average figure. Contact the Utility Billing office at 503-357-9112 to request an adjustment to your sewer average use.

Surface Water Management (SWM) Rates & Information (SD)

(Last increase - July 1, 2025)

SWM is also a charge mandated by Clean Water Services. There is also a City SWM fee.

Charges are based on the number of Equivalent Surface Units (ESU) (2,640 square feet of impervious surface). Each ESU is charged a flat rate per month. Under normal circumstances, single family residential homes are billed for one ESU each, all other properties are calculated based on the actual amount of impervious surface.

General Services Fee

(Last rate change on July 1, 2025)

The General Services Fee is charged at a monthly flat rate of $11.50 per dwelling unit for residential homes. Commercial accounts are charged $34.50 per equivalent dwelling unit.