Utility Billing FAQs

FAQ's

• ​​​How do I start service?

  • To start service please complete and submit the UB Account Form. Any changes in account information need to be submitted to the city in writing. You can mail, email or drop off any changes. There is a silver drop box located in the center of the Civic Center Parking lot, next to the white voters box. 

• Billing Schedule

  • The city bills for utilities (water, sewer and stormwater) monthly. Prepayments can be made to any account at any time, billing statements are mailed on the last business day of the month. The due date is the 10th on the following month. Paperless statements can be elected through the payment website. 

• How do I pay my bill?

  • The City offers several ways to efficiently make payments towards your account. You can set up auto pay from a checking or savings account, you can pay in person with cash, check, money order, Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.
  • Payments can also be made online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/gladstoneor 
  • Or by phone at 866-721-1072. 

• How is my bill calculated?

  • Sewer:
    • Sewer treatment charges are pass through charges that are set by the sewer districts. There are two sewer districts within the City. To locate your sewer district, CLICK HERE, type your address into the search and click on "Utilities and Districts". This will show you what sewer district your address is located in.
    • Sewer collection charges are a flat rate set by the City.
  • Water:
    • Base meter charge is a flat rate charge based on the size of the meter.
    • Water usage is billed on a water conservation block rate.
  • Storm Water:
    • This is a flat rate charged to help manage the stormwater systems within the City.
  • A spreadsheet with estimated utility costs for single family residents can be found
    • Here for WES 
    • Here for Oaklodge

• What is a unit of water?

  • A unit of water is a hundred cubic feet. A hundred cubic feet is 748 gallons. 

• How can I determine how many gallons of water I used?

  • Our water meters measure cubic feet of water used. In order to determine how many gallons you used during the last billing cycle, multiply the CCF Water Used as seen on your utility bill by 748.
  • As an example: 6 CCF x 748 = 4,488 gallons used

• How do I check for leaks?

  • There is a simple test you can perform to use your water meter to detect leaks. First, turn off all your faucets and water-using appliances (such as dish and clothes washers) and be sure no one is using any water.  Then go to your water meter and lift the cover of the meter dial.  Write down all the numbers you see on the meter. Wait 30-60 minutes and check the meter again. If the numbers changed at all, and you are sure there was no water used in the house, you probably have a leak somewhere in your system. 

  • Some meters have a small red or blue triangle or star shaped indicator on the face of the meter, this is used to detect leaks. If small symbol is moving, it also means you probably have a leak.  Retest to be certain; then locate the leak by inspecting all the pipes, fixtures and appliances that use water.

• Where should I look for a leak?

  • Your toilet may have a silent leak.  Drop a little food coloring in the tank.  Wait about 10 minutes without flushing.  If color appears in the bowl you have a leak.
  • Check for moist spots around and under house plumbing and around the outdoor plumbing.
  • Replace worn washers in faucets and shower heads.  A little drip waste many gallons each day.
    • Below shows the approximate water that is used with different types of leaks:
    • A dripping leak consumes: 15 gal. Per day, 450 gal. per month
    • 1/8 in. leak consumes: 3,806 gal. Per day, 114,200 gal. per month
    • 1/32 in. leak consumes: 264 gal. Per day, 7,920 gal. per month
    • 1/4 in. leak consumes: 15,226 gal. Per day, 456,800 gal. per month
    • 1/16 in. leak consumes: 943 gal. Per day, 28,300 gal. per month
    • 1/2 in. leak consumes: 60,900 gal. Per day, 1,827,000 gal. per month

• WHY WAS MY BANK GENERATED UTILITY PAYMENT RETURNED? WHY IS MY PAYMENT JUST NOW BEING RETURNED? WHAT CAN I DO?

  • If your bank has notified you that your payment for the City of Gladstone has been returned, it is possible that the mailing address for the City of Gladstone needs to be updated with your bank. In April 2020, the City of Gladstone Utility Department closed its doors at 525 Portland Avenue and relocated to the New Civic Center at 18505 Portland Avenue.

    • The post office put a forward in for the City of Gladstone that lasted a year. That forward is now no longer in effect and all payments with the former address are now being returned to your bank.

      • To make sure all future payments are received by the City of Gladstone, please update the mailing address you have within your banking system to the NEW address of 18505 Portland Avenue, Gladstone OR 97027.