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City and TVWD Water Customers Transfer Facts

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1. Why is my water service transferring?

• The city would like to serve all Beaverton customers directly.
  • The Mayor and City Council have expressed strong interest in seeing the city serve as many city residents as possible.
  • The city currently provides water to more than 70 percent of Beaverton residents and they’d like the city to eventually serve all of Beaverton.
• City of Beaverton water is less expensive and by serving all residents directly the city can ensure rate equity for all residents.
  • Beaverton water rates are currently less than TVWD water rates, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future (see table for comparison).
  • The transition will help to ensure more rate equity among Beaverton residents. 

	Charge Amount	Charge Per Equivalent CCF Unit	Estimated Monthly Bill (Using 8 CCF)
Tualatin Valley Water District	$13.95	$4.61	$50.83
City of Beaverton	$15.00	$3.17	$40.36

Note: The rates noted above are subject to City Council approval and will be effective July 1, 2018. We anticipate another rate increase by TVWD effective later this fall.

2. How many people are affected by these changes?

The city and TVWD have jointly agreed to transfer water service for approximately 16,000 Beaverton residents (approximately 4,100 customer accounts).

3. Has my account already transferred?

• No. A phased transfer of customer accounts to city water is expected to begin in November 2018. 
• You will receive information approximately 30 days before your account transfers with details on billing changes, payment instructions and more. Until then, please continue to contact TVWD at 503-848-3000 with your water service needs. 
• It is currently anticipated that the transition of all transferring water accounts will be complete in February 2019.

4. Will there be any disruption to my water service when this transfer occurs?

This transition will be seamless to customers as there is no change in delivery methods or infrastructure. For the near future, TVWD will continue to provide water as they always have to transferring customers through existing infrastructure (this process is called wheeling), but the city will assume water billing. At some time over the next few years, the city will construct some new water mains to serve these areas and there will be a separation of service from TVWD. That schedule has not been determined.

5. Where can I find additional information such as tentative transition schedules and more?

For up-to-date information on this transition, including maps that show transferring areas and related schedules, visit BeavertonOregon.gov/water. Or, contact the city’s Finance Department at 503-526-2257.

6. Will my water rate go us as a result of this change?

No. Your water rate will go down once you become a city water customer. The city rate structure is different than TVWD’s and excludes tiered water rates that increase when certain water consumption thresholds are reached.

7. Are my billing cycles changing?

Yes. The city is on a monthly water meter read cycle. Bills for water, sewer and storm drain services are provided each month, rather than every-other month.

8. When will I get my first bill from the City of Beaverton?

Customers can expect their first city water bill approximately 45 days following transfer of their account later this fall, and after they receive a final bill from TVWD based on their last TVWD meter read before their account transfers. 

For example, if your account is transferring to the city in November, you will receive a final TVWD water bill in November with rates and charges for the October meter read cycle. In December, you will receive your first City of Beaverton water bill, with rates and charges for the November meter read cycle.

9. Will my new water bill look different?

Yes. The city’s water bill has a different format than TVWD. A sample water bill with an explanation of the city’s rates and charges will be provided along with other materials approximately 30 days before your account transfers with details on billing changes, payment instructions and more.

10. Does the city offer automatic, online or paperless payment options?

Yes. The city offers a variety of payment options including online, e-bills and automatic payment with a direct debit service. For more information, visit the city’s website at BeavertonOregon.gov/water.

11. What if I want to pay my bill by mail, phone or in-person?

The city offers a variety of payment options for the convenience of our customers including in-person and by mail. Your monthly water bill will include a return envelope for mailing purposes. Payments can be made in person at the city’s Finance Department located at The Beaverton Building (City Hall, floor 2), 12725 SW Millikan Way. In addition, there is a curbside drop box located on SW Millikan Way. 

Payments by credit card can be made over the phone. After hours, to avoid shutoff, customers can pay via the Police Record Department located at 4755 SW Griffith Drive.

12. Where is the city's water department located?

The city’s Finance Department handles water billing and payments and is located at The Beaverton Building (City Hall, floor 2), 12725 SW Millikan Way.

13. What are the city's normal operating hours?

The city is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm for billing, payment and other questions.

14. What number do I call if I have a payment question, notice higher than normal water bill or have a billing issue?

Until your account is transferred to the city later this year, please continue to call TVWD at 503-848-3000. 

After the transfer occurs later this fall, please call the city’s Finance Department at 503-526-2257.

15. What number do I call if I have a question about water quality, water pressure or a water emergency?

Please continue to call TVWD at 503-848-3000. TVWD will continue to provide water as they always have to transferring customers through existing infrastructure even after the city assumes water billing. Over the next few years, the city will construct some new water mains to serve these areas and there will be a separation of service from TVWD. That schedule has not been determined.

16. How does the city handle backflow prevention testing?

The city requires annual testing of your property’s backflow assembly. This test is the responsibility of property owners.

17. What if I’m currently a TVWD Gold Plan member?

Transferring customers currently enrolled TVWD’s Gold Plan service will continue to receive that service without interruption for the rest of this calendar year. 

Beaverton is currently exploring a similar program for the benefit of all of its water customers that could go into effect as early as next year. If this program proceeds, new and transferring water customers will be notified.

18. Where does the city water come from? Is this different than TVWD's source water?

The city’s primary source of drinking water is surface water from the upper Tualatin River that is provided via the Joint Water Commission (JWC) water treatment plant. The city shares JWC membership with the cities of Forest Grove and Hillsboro, as well as the Tualatin Valley Water District. Every day, the city has access to up to 18.75 million gallons of this treated water. In addition, the city owns the right to use up to 1.3 billion gallons in Scoggins Reservoir and 1.4 billion gallons in Barney Reservoir that are located on the Trask River in the Coast Range and from Hagg Lake. During periods of high water demand—such as in summer—the city can supplement its supply with water from these sources, as well as city-owned aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells. 

TVWD mixes a combination of Joint Water Commission and Portland Water Bureau water to serve its customers.

19. Does the city add fluoride to its water supply?

Yes. Sodium fluoride is added to Beaverton’s drinking water after it leaves the Joint Water Commission (JWC) treatment plant and before entering the city limits for distribution.

20. Does the city offer water rebates, free conservation items or have incentive programs similar to TVWD?

Yes. For additional information, visit BeavertonOregon.gov/waterconservation.

21. What if I'm a business?

Business customers transferring as part of this transition will be handled the same as new residential customers. All city customers pay the same rate schedule based on the size of their water meter.

22. What if I'm a developer?

New development will pay system development charges (SDCs) per the city schedule after July 1, 2018.