Why is the cost of treating sewer in Welches and Boring so much more expensive than the urban area of Clackamas County?
The cost of service in the rural areas of Hoodland and Boring is higher due to lack of economies of scale. The community boundaries dictate the service area. Each community is treated on a stand-alone basis. The cost of operation and maintenance should be borne by the ratepayers of each area. In the case of Boring, the plant was constructed to solve a very specific pollution problem in the core area adjacent to Hwy 212. The treatment plant effluent must meet the conditions of the DEQ permit. Even small increases in the cost of operation and maintenance cause higher than usual increases in the rates due to the small customer base.
