WES updates West Linn on Clackamole outfall project, proposes modest 4.9% rate increase

Clackamas Water Environment Services Director Greg Geist gave the West Linn City Council an overview of the utility’s operations and capital priorities, saying WES treats roughly 7,000,000,000 gallons of wastewater a year and aims to deliver predictable, long‑term rates.

Geist highlighted the Tri‑City outfall project—nicknamed “Clackamole”—as a multi‑year environmental effort to move the primary discharge to a deeper section of the river and equip it with an 18‑riser, 90‑inch diffuser intended to improve dilution and protect fish habitat. Construction began in July 2024; tunneling finished in December 2024; diffuser installation was scheduled for July–October 2025. Geist said the Clackamole project is currently on time and on budget and that total project cost is $58,000,000.

On rates, Geist said WES is committed to “reasonable and predictable” increases and proposed a 4.9% price change for fiscal 2025–26. He described that change as about "$1.45 a month, about $18 a year" for a West Linn household. Council members asked how the utility plans to revisit charges as growth or master‑plan assumptions change; consultants and staff said SDCs and master plans are the usual triggers for recalculation.

The presentation covered other capital work affecting West Linn, including a Willamette pump station replacement and force‑main project to relocate an aging station out of the floodplain, upgrades to primary clarifiers and aeration basins, and planned influent pump‑station modernization. Geist noted WES produces roughly 40% of its facility energy needs, recently achieved a 4.1% energy reduction and received a $44,000 incentive for efficiency measures.

Councilors thanked WES for outreach and asked about sharing the project video and arranging tours; Geist said staff will make materials available and invited council tours and additional neighborhood briefings.