Rate Information

The district’s ability to provide reliable irrigation water depends greatly on having sufficient revenue, most of which comes from patron assessments. Since 2012 the district has been using hydropower to supplement increasing operations and maintenance costs and offset patron charges by as much as 40%.

Revenue from hydropower has declined as power companies shift renewable energy incentives and focus on wind and solar power. Our existing hydropower contract expired in 2020 with a five-year extension.  When our rate extension ends, we expect hydropower revenue will drop.  By 2026, the district is anticipating a 60% decrease in revenue from hydropower. The lost hydropower funds that have subsidized operations and maintenance are being replaced by patron assessments.

New rates are effective January 1 each year during the five-year adjustment period (2022–2026).

Assessments are calculated based on the following components:

• Base Fee: Covers record-keeping, scheduling, insurance, and administration.
• Operations and Maintenance: A per-acre fee covering repairs, cleaning, and distribution system maintenance.
• Habitat Conservation Plan Fee: Supports habitat restoration and conservation in the Deschutes Basin.

Example Calculation (2025):

• Base Fee: $633.68
• Operations and Maintenance*: 5 acres × $42.99 = $214.95
• Habitat Conservation Plan Fee: $80.00
• Total Assessment: $928.63*Billed per acre. Anything under one acre is assessed at one acre. Operations and Maintenance covers repairs and cleaning of the delivery system and the distribution of water.

In 2025, the planned rate increase was reduced from 11% to 6.5%. Patrons will see adjustments reflected in their annual assessments.

Before the current five-year adjustment schedule (2022–2026), which implements rate changes each January, the last rate increase occurred in 2008.

COID engaged FCS Group, an independent consulting firm, to conduct a rate study and develop a pricing structure that ensures the District meets its long-term obligations.

The cost to operate and maintain the delivery system for smaller acreages (one acre or less) is higher than for larger acreages. The service charge for smaller acreage covers the increased cost to deliver water. Small acreage deliveries are more problematic throughout the District than large acreage deliveries. COID field crews respond to far greater calls for small acreage deliveries than large acreage deliveries. In addition, deliveries in urban areas for small acreages are more expensive to repair due to dealing with fences, pavement and sidewalk repair, traffic control, and permits from agencies. Oregon law recognizes that subdivided and small tract lands tend to create additional expense for irrigation districts, and so the law allows districts to collect this kind of service charge.

The Deschutes Basin includes eight irrigation districts, each with unique rate structures. While direct comparisons are difficult, COID’s rates are designed to balance affordability and sustainability.

Patrons are not charged for water itself but for the right to use it. Assessments are in two basic parts and are set each January by the COID Board of Directors. The assessment is not based on a quantity of water delivered, but on the costs to operate and maintain the delivery system and the District.

Assessments cover:

• Base Charges covers the cost of record-keeping, scheduling, insurance, office facilities, general administration, and overhead.
• Operations and Maintenance covers repairs and cleaning of the delivery system and the distribution of water
• Habitat Conservation Plan Fee covers the cost-share of the Habitat Conservation Plan, as well as conservation and implementation measures to improve fish and wildlife habitat in the Deschutes Basin

The annual base charge and fees help pay for District operations, maintenance, and the administrative costs of servicing a patron account. The Habitat Conservation Plan fee covers the cost to develop and implement a plan to protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Deschutes Basin. The Habitat Conservation Plan will cover several species in the Basin listed as “threatened” or that are proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that may be affected by traditional and routine District activities.  These species include the Oregon spotted frog, reintroduced mid-Columbia River steelhead, and several others.

No, these funds are not allocated for piping projects.

The Board will review 2026 rate increases with careful consideration of COID’s financial needs and the anticipated hydropower revenue loss. We remain committed to operating efficiently, managing costs responsibly, and ensuring our patrons are informed throughout this process.

If your property has water rights, assessments are mandatory, regardless of water usage.

Bills are mailed in late January. Payments are due:

• April 1: First half.
• July 1: Second half.

For assistance, call the main office at 541-548-6047.