Utilities Questions and Answers

Welcome to the City of Stevenson Utility Billing FAQ.

Whether you are looking to set up a new account, understand your latest bill, or explore payment options, we’ve gathered the most common questions here to help you find answers quickly. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact City Hall directly at info@ci.stevenson.wa.us or call us at 509-427-5970.

Frequently Asked Questions

The specific dollar amount of the base water fee is set by City Council through the current billing rate resolution (Resolution 2024-432). The base water fee includes 400 cubic feet (cu ft) of water usage per month. Any usage over 400 cu ft is billed at the applicable usage rate.

Category: Utilities

The sewer base fee is also established by City Council through Resolution 2024-432. The exact dollar amount is set by resolution and applies monthly to each meter/account.

Category: Utilities

Bills may be high due to:

  • Water usage exceeding the 400 cu ft included in the base fee
  • A leak on the customer’s side of the meter
  • A two-month meter read (when weather prevents readings, usage is combined and billed the following month)
  • Past-due balances, penalties, or payment plan fees
  • Multiple months of unpaid charges that transfer responsibility back to the property owner

Bills are based on actual meter readings, not estimates.

Category: Utilities

Yes. The City offers Low-Income and Moderate-Income discounts on water and sewer rates:

  • Low Income: Up to 200% of the federal poverty level
  • Moderate Income: Up to 400% of the federal poverty level

Applicants must:

  • Live in the home as their primary residence
  • File an annual application
  • Apply through Skamania County Senior Services or Washington Gorge Action Programs
Category: Utilities

Yes, under the following conditions:

  • The leak must be repaired first
  • A written request must be submitted after the repair
  • Requests must be made within 30 days of notification
  • Adjustments are based on the average usage from the previous six months

Adjustments are not guaranteed and are reviewed by City Council per Resolution 2013-254

Category: Utilities

When you apply for a leak adjustment, the City uses a standardized and verifiable calculation method to ensure the adjustment is fair, accurate, and consistent for all customers.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Your normal usage is established
    The City reviews your average water usage from the previous six months before the leak occurred. This average is used as your “normal” monthly usage.
  2. Excess usage caused by the leak is identified
    The water usage during the leak period is compared to your six-month average.
    Any usage above your normal average is considered leak-related water.
  3. The cost of the leaked water is calculated
    The City applies the unit cost of water to the leak-related usage.
    • The unit cost is calculated using actual, audited operating costs and total water produced from the prior fiscal year.
    • This ensures the adjustment reflects the true cost of producing and treating potable water, as required by Resolution 2013-254.
  4. The adjustment amount is determined
    The adjustment is based only on the verified leak-related water usage, not on base fees or regular monthly charges.
  5. Final review and approval
    Public Works, Finance/Billing, and supervisory staff review the calculation to ensure accuracy and compliance with City policy before the adjustment is applied.
Category: Utilities

The fee for processing water is calculated using the City’s actual historical operating data, as required by Resolution 2013-254.

Here’s how the City determines that cost:

  • The City reviews audited operating expenses from the prior fiscal year, including the costs to pump, treat, and produce potable water.
  • That total cost is divided by the total volume of water produced during that same period.
  • This calculation results in a unit cost per cubic foot of water, which represents the true cost of processing water.
  • This unit cost is then used when calculating leak adjustment estimates, ensuring adjustments reflect the City’s real cost of producing and treating the water—not an estimated or flat rate.

This method ensures the calculation is consistent, verifiable, and transparent, and complies with Resolution 2013-254.

Category: Utilities
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