Strategic Business Plan Update and Rate Path Approved by City Council

On September 3, the Seattle City Council voted to adopt Seattle Public Utilities' 2025-2030 Strategic Business Plan (SBP) Update and six-year rate path. In addition, the Council adopted the specific Drainage and Wastewater rate increase from the SBP that will go into effect in January 2025.

The SBP helps SPU stay focused on our work and outlines critical investments needed to help ensure a healthy population and environment for the future-from preparing for complex challenges like climate change and earthquakes to dealing with inflation and the increasing cost of materials.

The SBP also provides a predictable three-year rate path and projections for the following three years. Rate increases are necessary to support SPU's critical investments, especially regarding infrastructure and environmental sustainability. These investments will serve the public, Seattle neighborhoods, and the region for decades.

The SBP covers six years, and we update it after three years to account for changes and uncertainties. The 2025-2030 SBP Update proposes an average annual rate increase of 4.7% over the next six years. For customers in a typical single-family home, monthly costs will go up by about $70 from 2025 to 2030. For customers in an apartment unit, costs will increase by about $40 over the same period.

While we need these rate increases to cover the cost of providing reliable services and maintaining our system, we know they affect our customers. We take affordability seriously and are committed to ensuring our customers have access to essential utility services regardless of their financial situation. The SBP Update highlights our assistance programs-the Utility Discount Program, Emergency Assistance Program, and payment plans-and other ways for customers to save money on their utility bills. Information about these affordability programs can be found on the SPU website or by calling our Customer Care team at (206) 684-3000. The public also can read this FAQ for more details about the SBP.