Seattle Public Utilities

Capitalizing on Localized Efficiency and Stormwater Strategies

In 1992, Seattle experienced a significant drought causing its drinking water demand to nearly meet its available supplies. Seattle Public Utility needed to identify “wet water” either through new sources, water purchases, or other means. Apart from its need to address dwindling drinking water supplies, SPU and King County are working to manage urban storm water runoff into Puget Sound and overflows from areas of Seattle with combined sewer systems. Storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows are a significant source of surface water pollution.

Seattle Public Utility implements comprehensive water efficiency programs that treat conservation as the preferred source of supplies and a citywide green infrastructure incentive program, “RainWise,” to motivate private property owners to join in the solution to storm water management. SPU debt finances these efficiency and green infrastructure rebates for private property installations, which has allowed the utility to build robust programs. Download the full case study to learn more about SPU’s programs.