Utility Rates
In the interest of attending to important maintenance and upgrades for our aging utility systems, Puyallup’s water, sewer and stormwater rates will increase by 8.2% in 2023. Additional catch-up increase: Water 6%, Sewer 4%, Stormwater 15%
These rate increases are tied to the Construction Cost Index (CCI) as reported by Engineering News Record. The CCI is determined by certain labor and materials costs.
Capital needs for the utilities come in the form of seismic retrofits, tank recoatings, water main replacements, lift stations and pump stations, sewer lines—even a wall to protect the water pollution control plant and ensure its continued operation during a major flood event.
The amounts needed for capital improvements are large simply because the systems are large. The City of Puyallup’s Water, Sewer, and Storm systems are the largest assets that the City owns. If built today, each of these systems would cost exponentially more than when originally constructed. Puyallup’s wastewater and stormwater collection systems are composed of approximately 190 miles of pipe, 6,500 manholes, 10,000 lateral connections, 15,000 acres of drainage and 32 detention ponds. On the water side, nearly all of the city’s drinking water comes from two natural springs and four deep wells. Ground-sourced and of high quality, it’s collected and conveyed to nine sealed reservoirs which together can hold 19.3 million gallons. From there, the water is distributed on demand to residents and businesses via more than 200 miles of pipeline.
Because the provision of utilities is, like public safety, an essential public service, it’s critical that we responsibly invest in the infrastructure which allows us to safely and reliably provide these.