Independent Seattle utility guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Seattle Public Utilities, the City of Seattle, Seattle City Light, Washington State Department of Health, EPA, or another government agency.
Use Seattle Public Utilities for current account balances, emergency instructions, shutoff status, payment arrangements, rates, water-quality notices and other account-specific decisions.
Seattle Water Department: Services, Hours & Customer Help
Seattle Public Utilities water customer guide
Seattle Water Service, Customer Hours, Billing Help & 24-Hour Emergency Contacts
People searching for the Seattle Water Department are generally looking for Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), the City utility responsible for drinking water as well as sewer, drainage and solid-waste services.
For normal account and billing help, call (206) 684-3000 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For an urgent drinking-water, sewer or drainage emergency — including a water outage, main break, flooding or sewer backup — call (206) 386-1800 24 hours a day.
Start here
Seattle Water Department Quick Facts
Use the general SPU Customer Service line for bills, account changes, payment arrangements, start/stop requests and most routine questions. Use the 24-hour emergency number only for urgent water, sewer or drainage problems.
Correct department
Is There a Seattle Water Department?
The official utility is called Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). “Seattle Water Department” is a common search phrase, but customers will generally find official drinking-water services under SPU’s Water section.
Drinking Water
Water supply, treatment, meters, outages, quality, service connections and distribution infrastructure.
Sewer & Drainage
Wastewater, stormwater, sewer backups, drainage, flooding and related utility infrastructure.
Solid Waste
Garbage, recycling and food/yard waste services are also managed through Seattle Public Utilities.
Seattle City Light handles electric service. Seattle Public Utilities handles water, sewer/drainage and solid waste.
Customer services
What Seattle Public Utilities Can Help With
Account Management
Open, close, move or update a utility account.
Bill Payment
One-time, recurring, phone, mail and in-person payment options.
High Bills
Usage review, leak detection and qualifying leak adjustments.
Water Outages
Planned and emergency outage information.
Main Breaks
24-hour reporting for water pipe breaks and street leaks.
Water Quality
Taste, odor, discoloration, chlorine, fluoride and testing questions.
Bill Assistance
Discount programs, emergency assistance and payment plans.
New Development
New water-service connections, water availability and infrastructure review.
Hours, address and in-person help
Seattle Public Utilities Customer Service Hours & Office
(206) 684-3000
Monday–Friday:
7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Use this number for account questions, bills, payments, opening/closing service, payment plans and most non-emergency customer issues.
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue
4th Floor Lobby
Seattle, WA 98104
Monday–Friday:
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Customer Service representatives are available by phone until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, while the Seattle Municipal Tower customer counter closes at 4:00 p.m.
Pay and manage account
Seattle Water Bill Payment & Online Account
Seattle Utility Services
Use the City’s utility account website to manage Seattle Public Utilities and qualifying Seattle City Light account functions.
One-Time Payment
SPU allows one-time online payment without creating a full online profile.
Online Account
Create a Utility Services profile to manage bills, recurring payments and account services.
Recurring Payment
Registered customers can set up recurring online payments using eligible payment methods.
Seattle Public Utilities states that it does not charge an additional convenience fee for the payment methods listed on its Bills & Payments page.
Choose a payment method
Ways to Pay a Seattle Public Utilities Bill
| Payment method | How to use it | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Online account | Use myutilities.seattle.gov. | Managing bills and recurring payments |
| One-time online | Pay using account information without creating a full profile. | Quick single payment |
| Phone | Call (877) 398-3531. | 24/7 automated bill payment |
| Walk-in | Visit Seattle Municipal Tower or another City Customer Service Center. | In-person help or payment |
| Mail qualifying SPU payments payable to City of Seattle. | Customers paying by check |
City of Seattle
P.O. Box 35177
Seattle, WA 98124-5177
Make the check payable to City of Seattle and include the utility account number as instructed by the City.
Moving / account changes
How to Start or Stop Seattle Water Service
Current or former Seattle utility customers can start, stop or move service online, by phone or at a walk-in Customer Service Center.
Start or Stop Utility Services
Use the online Utility Services profile or call SPU Customer Service at (206) 684-3000.
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1
Log in or create a Utility Services profile
Customers who already have a Seattle utility account can use the existing profile. New customers can create one online.
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2
Select start or stop service
Choose the service address and effective date requested by the online system.
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3
Complete identity verification
New customers may be asked questions based on consumer data to verify identity. SPU states this is not a credit inquiry and does not affect the customer’s credit score.
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4
Provide closing information when moving out
Customers stopping service should provide the effective date, forwarding address and other requested information. If the property was sold, SPU says the buyer’s name is needed to close the account.
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5
Review the final bill
You continue to be billed until the utility account is properly closed.
Urgent water, sewer or drainage issue
Seattle Water Emergency & Main Break Number
SPU Operations Response Center
Call for urgent drinking-water, sewer and drainage problems.
Water Outage
Report unexplained loss of municipal water service.
Water Main Break
Report water flowing from pavement, a suspected pipe break or significant street leak.
Sewer Backup
Call when sewer water is entering a home or overflowing in the street.
Flooding
Report urgent stormwater or drainage flooding affecting streets or property.
Water Quality Emergency
Urgent discoloration, unusual taste or odor can be reported to the 24-hour response center.
Hydrant Problem
Report leaking or damaged hydrants through the emergency response line.
Do not approach a collapsed roadway, deep flooding, exposed electrical equipment or another condition that creates an immediate danger.
Check current service status
Seattle Water Outage Map & Notifications
Seattle Public Utilities publishes both planned and emergency water outages on its live Water Outage Map.
Break, leak or system damage
Emergency outages can occur after water-main breaks, leaks or other damage. Affected customers may receive text notifications about outage status.
Scheduled maintenance
Planned interruptions are scheduled so crews can perform maintenance, repairs or utility construction.
Check current planned and emergency outages before calling about a known neighborhood interruption.
Follow the exact current SPU instructions for your affected area. During an active boil-water advisory, SPU advises customers to boil water before drinking or use purchased bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
Unexpected usage
Seattle Water Bill Too High? Check for a Leak
SPU identifies leaks as a common cause of unexpectedly high water and sewer bills. Your water meter can help determine whether water is flowing when everything in the property should be off.
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1
Find the water meter
SPU says residential meters are commonly in the parking strip or sidewalk at the front or side of the property.
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2
Turn off all water use
Turn off faucets, toilets, appliances, irrigation and other intentional use.
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3
Record the meter
Note the position of the one-cubic-foot dial or record the meter reading.
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4
Wait 30 minutes
Do not use any water during the test.
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5
Check the meter again
If the meter moved, water flowed during the test and a leak may be present.
Dial stops after building valve closes
The leak is likely inside the building. Check toilets, faucets and other private plumbing.
Dial keeps moving after valve closes
SPU says this can indicate an underground leak between the meter and the property’s shutoff valve.
SPU directs customers who cannot check the meter themselves to Utility Account Services at (206) 684-5800.
Possible billing adjustment
Seattle Public Utilities Leak Adjustment
SPU offers bill adjustments for many qualifying leaks. Customers should contact Utility Account Services at (206) 684-5800 for eligibility and application instructions.
Repair within 60 days
The published eligibility guidance says the leak repair must be completed within 60 days after the initial high utility bill indicating a leak.
Inspection may be required
SPU instructs customers to contact it before underground repairs are covered and not to backfill qualifying repair work before required inspection.
Proof of repair
Photos, receipts, invoices or a written repair explanation may be required.
SPU states that high consumption caused by theft, vandalism or negligence is not eligible for a leak adjustment.
Check current rules before completing or covering an underground repair.
Charge disagreement
How to Dispute a Seattle Public Utilities Bill
SPU maintains a formal bill-dispute process. Customers can begin by contacting Customer Service or submitting the appropriate online request.
- Identify what you dispute. State the charge and amount you believe is incorrect.
- Explain why. Describe the billing, meter, service or account issue supporting your request.
- Say what resolution you want. Explain the correction or review you are requesting.
- Pay undisputed charges. SPU advises paying charges not included in the dispute when the dispute is initiated.
- Keep supporting records. Save bills, meter photographs, repair receipts and previous correspondence.
SPU states that the standard processing timeframe for initiating and resolving a billing dispute is approximately 20 business days, although complex cases can take longer.
Past-due and affordability help
Seattle Water Bill Assistance & Payment Plans
Utility Discount Program
Income-eligible residential customers can receive an ongoing 50% discount on qualifying Seattle Public Utilities water, sewer and solid-waste bills.
PromisePay
SPU currently directs customers needing more than 60 days to pay a past-due balance to flexible PromisePay payment-plan options.
Past-Due Help
Income-qualified customers facing shutoff may qualify for emergency assistance. Eligibility and available amounts should be checked on the current City page.
Get Help With Your Utility Bill
Check 2026 income guidelines, payment plans and current assistance programs.
SPU states that Customer Service can assist customers in their preferred language at no cost. Call (206) 684-3000.
Final notice
Seattle Water Shutoff Notice — What to Do
If you receive an Urgent Notice or Final Shutoff Notice, SPU instructs customers to act immediately.
Pay the Past-Due Balance
Resolve the qualifying delinquent balance before disconnection when possible.
Set Up a Payment Plan
Contact SPU or use available payment-plan tools if full immediate payment is not possible.
Apply for Assistance
Check emergency bill assistance and discount-program eligibility immediately.
SPU states that it will not send another notification before disconnection after the Final Shutoff Notice. A disconnection fee can apply if service is shut off.
Drinking water source and testing
Seattle Drinking Water Quality
Seattle Public Utilities supplies drinking water from two protected mountain watersheds: the Cedar River and the South Fork Tolt River.
Most Seattle customers
SPU states that more than 80% of Seattle residences receive Cedar supply under typical operating conditions.
Many north Seattle neighborhoods
Broadview, Bitter Lake, Crown Hill, Northgate, Haller Lake and Pinehurst regularly receive Tolt water, along with parts of several nearby neighborhoods.
Current testing information
Seattle Water Quality Report 2026
SPU’s annual Consumer Confidence Report page currently features the 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report, while separate water-quality analysis pages publish 2026 quarterly analyses.
2025 Drinking Water Quality Report
Includes system, source, treatment and regulatory monitoring information distributed as the annual Consumer Confidence Report.
2026 Quarterly Analyses
SPU currently publishes first- and second-quarter 2026 water-quality analyses for customers seeking more recent testing details.
Use SPU’s current report and monitoring pages for the latest available test results.
Tap-water troubleshooting
Discolored Water, Taste, Odor or No Water
| Issue | Best route | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| No water | Urgent Operations Response Center | (206) 386-1800 |
| Discolored water | Urgent response if actively occurring | (206) 386-1800 |
| Unusual odor | Urgent response if sudden/current | (206) 386-1800 |
| Chlorine / fluoride / hardness | General water-quality information | (206) 615-0827 |
| Street main break | 24-hour Operations Response Center | (206) 386-1800 |
Current cost information
Seattle Water Rates in 2026
Seattle Public Utilities publishes separate rate information for water, sewer and solid waste. Water charges can depend on meter characteristics, customer class and water use, with seasonal rate structures affecting some customers.
Seattle’s Water 2024–2026 Rate Study covers the current planning period, but the amount on an individual bill depends on the applicable customer and usage categories. Do not estimate an account solely from an older blog or sample bill.
Review current water, sewer and other SPU utility rate information.
Construction / development
New Seattle Water Service Connection
Opening a customer account at an existing property is different from constructing a new physical water service connection.
Start an Account
Use Seattle’s Utility Services website or call (206) 684-3000 when water infrastructure already serves the property and you simply need account service.
Development Services Office
Property owners, developers and contractors working on a new water connection should use the SPU Development Services Office.
Phone: (206) 684-3333
Email: SPU_DSO@Seattle.gov
SPU warns that its infrastructure map is for preliminary research and can show mains that are obsolete, restricted or otherwise unavailable for new taps. Formal water-availability review is still required.
Property research
Seattle Water & Sewer Infrastructure Map
Seattle’s Development Services Office provides an online Water and Sewer Map for preliminary parcel and infrastructure research.
Water Mains
See mapped drinking-water mains and service information available for planning.
Sewer / Drainage
Research mapped sewer and drainage infrastructure serving a property.
Parcel Information
The tool also displays selected zoning, land-use and environmentally critical-area information.
Useful for homeowners, designers, developers and preliminary project planning.
Winter emergency
Frozen or Broken Water Pipe in Seattle
- Close the property’s main shutoff valve. Stop water flow as quickly as possible when a private pipe breaks.
- Keep away from electrical hazards. Do not enter standing water around energized equipment.
- Cannot shut water off? Call SPU’s 24-hour line at (206) 386-1800. SPU can dispatch a crew to turn off water at the meter; a service charge can apply.
- Arrange private plumbing repairs. SPU does not replace damaged private indoor plumbing.
Accessible customer service
Language, Hearing & Online Customer Help
(206) 684-3000
SPU provides interpretation support. The online customer portal directs customers to select the language-assistance menu options when calling.
711
The Utility Services site lists 711 for deaf and hard-of-hearing communication assistance.
Email Form
Customers can send an online account or service question. SPU says online customer-service questions are generally answered within 3–5 business days.
Useful for non-urgent billing, account and service questions.
Walk-in customer service
Seattle Public Utilities Office Map
Seattle City Light / Seattle Public Utilities Customer Service Counter
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue
4th Floor Lobby
Seattle, WA 98104
Counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Customer Service phone: (206) 684-3000
Get help faster
What to Have Ready Before Calling Seattle Public Utilities
Account number, service address, current bill and the specific charge you are questioning.
Payment date, amount, method and confirmation or check information.
Service address, effective date, contact information and buyer/forwarding information when applicable.
Previous bills, meter readings, leak-test result and repair documentation.
Service address, affected taps, when the issue began, and whether the problem is color, taste, odor or loss of service.
Exact location, nearest address/intersection and whether water is actively flooding a street or property.
Utility terminology
Seattle Water Department Terms
- Seattle Public Utilities
- The City utility responsible for drinking water, sewer/drainage and solid-waste services.
- SPU
- The commonly used abbreviation for Seattle Public Utilities.
- Cedar River Supply
- The primary drinking-water source for most Seattle residences.
- Tolt River Supply
- The South Fork Tolt River water supply serving many areas of north Seattle and other parts of the regional system.
- Operations Response Center
- SPU’s 24-hour emergency response contact for urgent water, sewer and drainage problems.
- Utility Services Website
- The City’s online portal for utility account management, bill payment and start/stop service requests.
- Leak Adjustment
- A billing adjustment that may be available after a qualifying water leak is repaired and SPU requirements are met.
- Utility Discount Program
- An income-qualified program providing ongoing discounts on eligible Seattle utility bills.
- DSO
- Development Services Office, the SPU team involved in water and sewer utility review for development and construction projects.
- CCR
- Consumer Confidence Report, the federally required annual drinking-water quality report.
Frequently searched questions
Seattle Water Department FAQs
What is the Seattle Water Department phone number?
What are Seattle Public Utilities customer service hours?
What is Seattle’s 24-hour water emergency number?
Where is the Seattle Public Utilities customer service office?
How do I pay my Seattle water bill?
How do I start or stop Seattle water service?
What should I do if my Seattle water bill is unusually high?
Does Seattle offer help with water bills?
Where does Seattle drinking water come from?
Who do I call about Seattle water quality?
Primary verification
Official Seattle Public Utilities Sources
- Seattle Public Utilities — Contact Us
- City of Seattle — Customer Service Center Hours & Payments
- SPU — Bills & Payments
- Seattle Utility Services Online Account
- SPU — Start or Stop Services
- SPU — Water, Sewer & Drainage Emergencies
- SPU — Water Outages
- SPU — Detect Water Leaks
- SPU — Leak Adjustments
- City of Seattle — Utility Bill Help
- SPU — Water Quality Annual Reports
- SPU — 2026 Water Quality Analyses
- SPU — Water Quality Concerns
- SPU — Current Utility Rates
- SPU — Water & Sewer Map