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SPU Temporarily Updates Operations to Maintain Water Quality and Supply Due to Recent Storms

The storms over the last two weeks have caused high turbidity (muddy water) in the Cedar River, which supplies two-thirds of Seattle’s regional water supply. The other third comes from the South Fork Tolt River, which is not experiencing turbidity issues right now. To maintain our high standards for water… [ Keep reading ]

Give Your Christmas Tree a Second Life: Compost It for Free This January

The holidays are over, but your Christmas tree doesn’t have to end up in the landfill! Seattle Public Utilities customers can compost their trees and other holiday greens for free through January 31. Composting your Christmas tree is an easy way to reduce waste and help create nutrient-rich compost that… [ Keep reading ]

2025 Winter Holiday Waste Collection Schedule

As we head into the holiday season, we want to share some important reminders about our collection services. Garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste will NOT be collected on these upcoming holidays: If your regular collection day falls on one of these holidays, your service will be delayed by… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Public Utilities and WM Award Five Organizations 2025 ReThink Waste Grants

On November 19, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and WM announced the recipients of the 2025 ReThink Waste Grants, supporting community-based projects that are designed to prevent waste, promote recycling, composting and advance a circular economy in Seattle. Now in its seventh year, the joint grant program will invest a total… [ Keep reading ]

Building on a Legacy of Learning: Relicensing the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project  

The Cascade foothills are home to the small but important South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. We are currently in the process of renewing the project’s license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This process takes several years. A significant part of the work is to identify gaps in our current… [ Keep reading ]

Flexible Payment Plans with PromisePay 

Paying your utility bill just got easier. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) offers PromisePay, a long-term payment plan that lets you catch up on past-due balances and stay current, with no fees, no interest, and no late fees. PromisePay gives you the flexibility to pay on your schedule while keeping your… [ Keep reading ]

It’s That Time of Year: SPU Prepares for the 2026 State Legislative Session

After a landmark 2025 session, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is preparing for a short, 60-day state legislative session where lawmakers are expected to struggle with declining revenues and negative budget impacts from the federal government. Beginning on January 12, 2026, the Legislature will convene to pass bills and a supplemental… [ Keep reading ]

Join SPU for America Recycles Day — Small Actions, Big Impact, #RecycleRight

Happy America Recycles Day! While it’s always important to recycle, November 15th is a great day to give it some special attention and celebrate our planet. Here at SPU, we’ll be celebrating with you and sharing tips and tricks to help you recycle right! We’ll have booths on Lower Queen… [ Keep reading ]

2025-2026 Highest Predicted Winter Tides 

November through early March, Seattle experiences our highest tides. If you live, work, or play near our region’s tidal waters, please plan for and track these predicted seasonally high tides: Every year, Seattle Public Utilities is ready for wet weather and high tide season. We monitor storms, tides, atmospheric pressure… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle’s New Waste Metrics: Measuring What Matters Most

A New Way to Measure Our Progress Seattle has long been recognized as a global leader in waste reduction and sustainable materials management. But the way we consume and what we throw away is changing fast. That’s why Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has introduced new industry-leading solid waste metrics that… [ Keep reading ]