With plans to replace, repair and maintain parts of the city’s aging water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, Port Townsend residents and property owners will see rate increases beginning April 1.

The increases were approved Feb. 20 by the Port Townsend City Council, which passed ordinances authorizing the utility rate increases and utility tax adjustments. According to city staff, the utilities require $20 million in investment over the next five years, coupled with an estimated $10 million in anticipated grant funding.

Among the changes, sewer rates will increase by 13% each year and stormwater rates will increase by 10% each year for the next five years. In addition, the city’s Income-Based Utility Discount Program will expand from one level of eligibility to include three tiers, with discounts ranging from 25% to 75% off the base rate. 

Shelly Leavens, the city’s communications and marketing manager, said the discount program is based on income and household size, and added that, with the new discount program, “Some people might even see their rates go down.”

Leavens added that there are currently about 200 people enrolled in the current discount program, but city leadership would like to see it expand to 1,000 or more.

Aging Infrastructure

“The last time the city updated the general sewer plan was in 1999 and 2000,” said Steve King, director of public works, in a public information video. “Over that period of the last 23 years, we largely didn’t need to do a lot of upgrades to our sewer plan.”

But much has changed.

“When they construct a treatment plant, they base that on a 20-year life span,” said Bliss Morris, operations manager at the city’s wastewater treatment plant and composting facility, also in the video. “Our treatment plant is getting old … We’re at 30 years plus.”

Bliss explained that pumps, motors, blowers and certain electronics have become outdated and, in some cases, replacement parts aren’t available.

“There’s been significant changes in electronics since the 1980s,” Morris said.

Once a plant hits 85% of its design capacity, it requires an upgrade. The city’s current treatment plan is at 70% of its design capacity, he said.

King also said the city has major issues with tree roots infiltrating and damaging sewer pipes that are nearly 80 miles in length.

.“The biggest issue we have is roots. Our thirsty trees love the nutrients and the water that sewer systems provide.” In order to inspect and repair those pipes, King said, the city needs a new camera system.

In addition to rate increases, the ordinances also impose new system development charges, that are now based on a graduated scale.

To put it simply, “Small homes pay less,” Leavens said, “larger homes pay more.”

Among other changes, new stormwater fees will also include an urban forestry fee for tree-planting and maintenance.

“These rates take effect April 1, but people won’t see the bill until early May,” Leavens said. “That is when people will see the changes and that is when they will really start asking questions.”