Our preparation for COVID-19 (updated daily)

Updated April 1, 2020

We are following the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Tacoma Pierce County’s Health Department in responding to COVID-19 in our service area. Safety and reliability are our top priorities, and we will continue to work diligently to provide power and water service to our customers.

We recognize that this is a stressful time for many, and want to continue to reassure you that your health, as well as the health of our employees and community members, remains a top priority.

If you have questions, you can submit them through this online question form and our staff will get back to you as soon as we can.

Emergency Assistance Program

The Public Utility Board approved the use of $1M in funds for an Emergency Assistance Program, which will allow more customers to qualify for bill assistance during the current State of Emergency. Click here to read the press release.

The Emergency Assistance Program will provide a utility credit of up to $250 for eligible single-family households, usable toward TPU bills. The eligibility requirements for this new program will allow more TPU customers to qualify for bill pay assistance than under the existing Bill Credit Assistance Plan (BCAP).

Due to the volume of applications, please allow a two-week response time.

We offer several options for payment assistance and will work with you to develop payment arrangements. We’ve extended our due date from 15 days to 12 weeks and can waive late fees.  TPU customers who are having trouble paying their bills should contact Customer Service at (253) 502-8600 or (800) 752-6745 and ask about extended payment plans. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

April 1 rate increase delayed

The Public Utility Board and City Council voted Tuesday, March 31 to delay the power rate increase previously scheduled for April 1, 2020 until July 1, 2020. This decision is in response to the current State of Emergency caused by COVID-19. Read more about rates here. Watch a recording of the board meeting here.

Lobby closure

Our lobby will be closed to the public until further notice. You will still be able to reach our Customer Services staff by calling 253-502-8600 and access your MyAccount online or at one of our many PayBoxes throughout Tacoma. For those seeking payment plans and assistance, we plan to extend our phone hours to 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m starting Monday, March 23rd.

Resources for Businesses

We know this has been a tough time on our small business community. Business customers can qualify for extended payment plans and waived late fees. The Mayor has also suspended disconnections for all customers, including businesses. Here are more resources available to help.

Electrical and Water permits

We offer a variety of ways to submit applications and payments online, by phone, and drop box. For more information, visit MyTPU.org/Permits.

Tacoma Power Parks

Tacoma Power Parks are following the guidance provided by the governor and public health officials in responding to COVID-19. Tacoma Power Parks campgrounds are closed March 23 through April 30. Click here to learn more about day use areas and other details.

If you have questions about campsite reservations, please call 833-290-8180 or visit TacomaPower.GoingtoCamp.  If you have general questions about our parks, please email TacomaPowerParks@CityofTacoma.org.

UPDATE: As of March 25, all Tacoma Power Parks, boat launches, day-use areas, wildlife lands, and the Peterman Hill Trail are closed, in accordance with Governor Inslee’s Stay Home/Stay Healthy proclamation.

New precautions for home visits

If you are scheduling a home visit with Tacoma Public Utilities, our dispatchers and field staff will be taking extra precautions to curb the spread of the virus both to our customers and our employees. We will call you before visiting to confirm whether it is safe for us to keep or reschedule our appointment.

Drinking water is safe

You can continue to drink and use tap water. There is no evidence that coronaviruses are transmitted through drinking water. Tacoma Water’s treatment methods, that use filtration and disinfection, remove and inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health is working to keep everyone informed about continuing developments regarding COVID-19, including drinking water. For more information,  visit EPA.gov/Coronavirus.

More information

For up-to-date information about the City of Tacoma’s response to COVID-19, visit CityofTacoma.org/Coronavirus.

For more information about local preparations for COVID-19, visit the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department website.