Letter to the Editor

Speak Up about Salmon Valley Water

The March 2026 Mountain Times issue had an article covering NW Natural Water Company proposals for rate increases and to merge Salmon Valley Water into Sunstone Water.  According to NWN Water website, Salmon Valley Water has over 900 customers. We have been a customer of Salmon Valley Water for the past eight years. We received written notification about the merger request but only found out about the proposed rate increase by reading the article in the Mountain Times. 

According to a letter sent to the Public Utility Commission of Oregon dated December 31, 2025, NWN Water is proposing for Rate Schedule I monthly average residential customers a rate increase from $76.01 to $126.43. This represents a 66% increase.

We would like to point out that prior to NWN Water taking over Salmon Valley Water, our monthly average customer rate was $25 and remained at this rate up until 2020. If this rate increase is approved as is, then NWN Water will have increased our average monthly bill from $25 to $125, which represents 500% increase in just 6 years (2020-2026)

The previous increase allowed was in 2023. At that time the rates went from approximately $40 to $80 and were not stair-stepped in, so overnight, our bills doubled. Notices had been sent out informing customers of this increase, but we didn’t bother protesting it  since we didn’t think it could possibly be approved. We were wrong, and this is why we’re encouraging everyone affected by these outrageous rate increases to speak up.

Over the years, NWN Water has done very little in communicating with its customers about the improvements they may have made that could possibly justify these large rate increases. Also, we are not aware of any program that NWN Water has that could help offset these huge increases that families in financial hardship could use so they can continue to receive the bare necessities. 

As mentioned earlier, NWN Water has two requests submitted to the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Docket # UP 439 pertains to the merger while Docket # UW 209 is requesting the 66% rate increase. 

There are three ways to submit your comments and concerns to the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Reference the docket number for the issue you are commenting on. 

By Email: puc.publiccomments@puc.oregon.gov

By Phone: 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404

By Mail: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – Docket #                           

PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088

Be sure and submit your comments before the first of June and don’t make the mistake that we did last time by thinking that this outrageous request would not be approved.

Dennis G & Diane P