Water Rates
Proposed 2027-2028 Water Rate Adjustments
Tacoma Water is proposing rate adjustments for 2027 and 2028. Rate adjustments vary by customer class and take effect annually on Janurary 1 each year.
Learn how we support our customers with payment assistance programs and ways to manage your bill.
Payment Assistance ProgramsProposed Rates
Residential
2027 – 5.6% or $2.99 monthly
2028 – 5.6% or $3.17 monthly
Rates differ for customers inside and outside the City of Tacoma. View the proposed residential rates below for estimated monthly costs by location.
Commercial
2027- 5%
2028- 5%
Proposed Rate Adjustment Details
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The proposals show the estimated average monthly adjustment as a percentage and dollar amount.
Inside the City of Tacoma
- 2027: 5.6% or $2.99 monthly
- 2028: 5.6% or $3.17 monthly
Outside the City of Tacoma
- 2027: 5.6% or $3.59 monthly*
- 2028: 5.6% or $3.74 monthly*
*Rates in University Place are slightly higher due to a 6% utility tax from the City of U.P.
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The proposals show the estimated average monthly adjustment as a percentage and a dollar amount.
Inside the City
- 2027 – 5% or $19.68 monthly
- 2028 – 5% or $20.98 monthly
Outside the City of Tacoma
- 2027 – 5% or $23.80*
- 2028 – 5% or $25.12*
Parks & Irrigation
CCF (Variable)
- 2027: 5.6%
- 2028: 5.6%
Rate adjustment goes into effect in Janurary each year.
*Rates in University Place are slightly higher due to a 6% utility tax from the City of U.P.
More About Tacoma Water
What goes into water rates?
Where we get our water
2026 Rates
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Meter size: 5/8″
- Inside City of Tacoma: $31.97
- Outside City of Tacoma: $38.55
- City of University Place: $41.41
Meter size: 3/4″
- Inside City of Tacoma: $46.68
- Outside City of Tacoma: $56.21
- City of University Place: $60.37
Meter size: 1″
- Inside City of Tacoma: $76.10
- Outside City of Tacoma: $91.51
- City of University Place: $98.29
Meter size: 2″
- Inside City of Tacoma: $237.91
- Outside City of Tacoma: $285.68
- City of University Place: $306.85
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Winter
- Inside City of Tacoma: $2.977
- Outside City of Tacoma: $3.572
- City of University Place: $3.837
Summer (T1)
- Inside City of Tacoma: $2.977
- Outside City of Tacoma: $3.572
- City of University Place: $3.837
Summer (T2)
- Inside City of Tacoma: $3.721
- Outside City of Tacoma: $4.465
- City of University Place: $4.796
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Inside City of Tacoma: $2.55
Outside City of Tacoma: $3.25
City of University Place: $3.49
The monthly hydrant fee is included in the monthly meter charge.
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Irrigation water rates increase by about 5.9% effective Jan. 1, 2026
2026 Fixed Charge per month, per meter
- All meter Sizes: $0
2026 Usage Charge per CCF (100 cubic feet of 748 gallons)
For each CCF of water consumption
- Inside City of Tacoma: $5.971
- Outside City of Tacoma: $7.165
- City of University Place: $7.696
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Other charges may apply, such as late fees or surcharges for water system acquisitions.
For more detailed information about water regulation and rates, please refer to Water Regulations and Rates, Chapter 12.10 of the Tacoma Municipal Code.
City of Tacoma Environmental Services
In Tacoma, garbage, stormwater, and sewer water are provided by the city. While you see these services on your bill, we are not involved in setting their rates. They operate independently of us, but just like TPU, the City Council has final approval over their rates. We simply provide the billing and customer service functions for efficiency.
Visit Environmental Services to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
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The average residential water meter size is 5/8. If you would like to find out the size of your meter, you can contact Customer Services at 253-502-8600.
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As a public utility, we only bill customers for the revenue required to run our business and rates are based on the cost to serve each customer class. Rates help cover increasing costs for infrastructure improvements, regulatory requirements, public fire protection and increasing expenditures, among other things that make it possible for us to provide you with ample, clean drinking water.
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Beginning in 2019, public fire protection costs will be embedded into your fixed charge and you will no longer see “Hydrant Service Fee” as a separate line item on the bill. For residential customers outside the City of Tacoma, the “Historical Service Component” of public fire protection costs (about $1.90 per month) will be retired as these costs were fully recovered in 2018.
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CCF stands for 100 cubic feet of water, which is about 748 gallons. The average customer inside the City of Tacoma uses approximately 7 CCF per month, or 5,236 gallons. Customers outside the City of Tacoma use slightly more, closer to approximately 9 CCF per month, or 6,732 gallons.
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The cost per CCF of water is determined by the time of year, the amount used, and where you live. In the summer, from June 1 to September 30, up to 5 CCF per month will be billed at the Tier 1 rate, and any water consumed in excess of 5 CCF per month will be billed at the Tier 2 rate. The Tier 1 rates may be split over two bills since the billing periods are not aligned with calendar months.
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The inclining rate structure reflects the higher cost of providing water during the summer and is also designed to encourage water conservation.
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There are several ways you can conserve water, especially in the summer:
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TPU provides several resources to help you save the amount you use and lower you bill. In addition, there additional ways to save such as:
- Install water-efficient products – this is one of the easiest, inexpensive ways to save water and energy. Not only will you save water and lower your water bill, but this can also help reduce your electric bill.
- Find and fix leaks – More than one trillion gallons of water are wasted in U.S. homes each year from easy-to-fix leaks. A leak at a rate of one drop per second can cost you an extra $1.38 per month, while a leaking water pipe wasting 250 gallons per day can cost you an extra $54.62 per month.
Click here to learn about ways you can help lower your water bill.