Seattle residents are preparing for higher utility bills after the City Council approved the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) 2025-2030 Strategic Business Plan and Six-Year Rate Path on September 3. Starting in January 2025, costs for drainage and wastewater services will rise as part of a broader effort to strengthen the city's utilities against challenges like climate change and seismic events.
As reported by Seattle Public Utilities' At Your Service, the plan is updated triennially to weather the unpredictability of external factors like inflation and rising material costs. The most recent update proposes a 4.7% average annual rate increase over the next six years. This adjustment means that typical single-family homes face a monthly bill increase of approximately $70 from 2025 to 2030, while apartment dwellers could see a rise of about $40 in that time frame.
Understanding that these hikes impact their customer base, Seattle Public Utilities has reiterated their commitment to affordability. "We take affordability seriously and are committed to ensuring our customers have access to essential utility services regardless of their financial situation," said a statement from the Seattle Public Utilities. Alongside the rate increases, the utility provider is promoting its assistance programs, such as the Utility Discount Program, Emergency Assistance Program, and various payment plans, to help buffer customers from the fiscal punch.
For questions or more details, customers are encouraged to call the SPU Customer Care team at (206) 684-3000 or peruse the specifically tailored FAQ available online.
