Portland Water Bureau had 19 regional water sales agreements in March 2024, most ending on June 30, 2026. Most did expire on that date, and Willamette Week reported on September 2, 2026 that several of the Bureau's wholesale customers are moving to other supplies.
Who is leaving
According to that September 2026 report, Gresham and the Rockwood Water People's Utility District have moved to their own groundwater. The Tualatin Valley Water District, the largest wholesale customer, is on a short-term contract with Portland until its own Willamette River supply comes online, and the Lusted Water District plans to leave. No date for the Tualatin Valley exit has been published.
How much wholesale revenue is at stake
For FY 2026-27 the City projects water sales revenue of about $284.4 million: $274.6 million from retail customers and $9.8 million from wholesale customers.
Rates are already rising
Council adopted an 8.1% average retail water rate increase from July 1, 2026, taking the typical residential bill at 5 ccf a month to $70.89, from $65.57. The Bureau's March 2024 plan had forecast 8.1% for this year; in September 2026 the Bureau said it projects increases of just under 10% a year for the next several years. The FY 2026-27 budget funds a comprehensive rate study. FY 2027-28 rates had not been proposed as of mid-2026.
The project behind the rates
The Bull Run Filtration project has a $2.46 billion budget and was 43% complete at end-September 2026, with filtered water required by September 30, 2029.
How the system's sources, institutions and network fit together, and what the published plans mean for the years to 2030, are set out in the full report. The full report, Water Systems Overview: Portland Water Bureau, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Portland Water Bureau Utility Snapshot.