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As of June 3, 2025, customers who use a credit or debit card to pay their sewer, stormwater, and water bill online, by phone, or through autopay will pay a processing fee. This fee is charged by the online bill payment provider, not by the City of Portland.
To avoid this fee, customers can make an electronic payment directly from their bank account. This is called an Automated Clearing House or ACH payment. Customers can make an ACH payment online or over the phone. Autopay customers can change their payment method to ACH to avoid a recurring processing fee. Cash, check, and money order payments also remain fee-free.
Processing fee charges
Which payment types have a processing fee?
Processing fees only apply to credit card and debit card payments.
How much is the processing fee for credit and debit cards?
When you pay with a credit or debit card, the fee is 2.95% of your total payment. The minimum processing fee is $1.25.
In dollars, this means:
- A $100 payment = $2.95 fee
- A $250 payment = $7.38 fee
- A $500 payment = $14.75 fee
You pay these fees directly to our online bill payment provider (Invoice Cloud), not the City.
How can I avoid the processing fee?
The processing fee only applies to credit and debit card payments. To avoid the fee, use another payment method.
- Make an ACH payment directly from your bank account using our billing website, our online one-time payment option, or our automated phone payment line.
- Pay through the mail with a check or money order.
- Pay in person with cash, check, or money order at our Walk-in Center.
- Set up online bill payments directly through your bank to the Portland Water Bureau.
Will I pay the processing fee if I use autopay?
If your autopay payment is made with a credit or debit card, you will be charged the processing fee. You can avoid the fee by changing your autopay payment method to ACH before your autopay due date. To do this, log in to our billing website and update your stored payment method. Detailed instructions for updating your payment method are at the bottom of this FAQ page.
Is there a maximum limit for a credit or debit card payment?
Yes. The maximum credit or debit card payment is $10,000 per transaction.
Why processing fees are changing
Why do customers have to pay credit and debit card processing fees?
The processing fee for credit and debit card payments is charged by our online bill payment provider, Invoice Cloud. The City of Portland does not receive any money paid toward the processing fee. Previously, the City absorbed these fees. This meant that all customers shared the cost of the card processing fees.
Covering these fees has become unsustainable. In recent years, the cost to the City has risen from around $1 million to over $2 million per year. When customers who choose to pay with credit and debit cards cover their own fees, it frees up public dollars to support essential services. We can use these funds to maintain and improve our systems and support customers with financial assistance programs.
How processing fees will appear on your statement
Who collects the processing fee?
Processing fees are charged by and paid to Invoice Cloud, our online bill payment provider. The City of Portland does not receive any money paid toward the processing fee.
How can I recognize the processing fee on my statement?
When you pay with a credit or debit card, you will see two separate transactions on your statement. The charge for the processing fee will appear as “Invoice Cloud” on your statement. The charge for your bill will appear as “Portland Water Bureau” on your statement.
If I switch to ACH payments, how will the charge appear on my bank statement?
Your payment will appear as “Portland Water Bureau” on your bank statement.
Reversed payments
If I reverse my credit or debit card payment, will my processing fee amount change as well?
You will not receive a refund or credit of your processing fee if you reverse your payment toward your sewer, stormwater, and water bill.
Updating your payment method
Is customer information secure when paying online?
Yes. All payments are processed securely through Invoice Cloud. The City does not store or access customers’ payment information.
Why don’t I have the option to make an ACH payment from my bank account on your payment website?
If two or more payments on your sewer, stormwater, and water bill account were returned in the last 12 months, we will not accept payments from your bank account. This includes personal checks or electronic payments from your checking or savings account. We will accept only the following payment methods:
- Cash
- Money order
- Cashier’s check
- Credit card
Contact Customer Service if you have any questions.
How can I change my autopay if my account is inactive?
To remove a payment method or update the autopay status on an inactive account, contact Customer Service at pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov or 503- 823-7770.
To update your autopay information online, your account must be active and must have been billed at least once. Once your account is active and has been billed, you can update your payment information on the billing website. Follow the instructions at the bottom of this FAQ page.
How do I change my autopay payment method to ACH on the billing website?
- On the top bar of the Account Details screen, select Payment Options. Then select Auto Pay from the drop-down menu.
- On the Payment Method screen, click Add New Bank.
- In the New Bank form, enter the information for the bank account you want to use for ACH payments.
- Once you’ve added your payment information, click the box next to Default to make this your autopay payment method. Then click Save Bank Information to complete the change.
