Seattle City Council banned plastic carryout bags back in 2011. So why are they back— in a thicker form? Seattle residents likely can remember a time between 2012 and 2020 where plastic carryout bags were not offered at grocery stores and other retail establishments. Only paper bags were available. This… [ Keep reading ]
It was a glorious day at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Watershed Headquarters in North Bend, WA, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) – a 50 year plan that was prepared under the Endangered Species Act. Check out more event photos on Flickr…. [ Keep reading ]
On Wednesday, August 20 sewage from a broken sewer pipe entered a part of the drainage system upstream of Mount Baker Park. This part of the drainage system drains onto a rocky land area on the shore of Lake Washington. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) stopped the sewer overflow at approximately… [ Keep reading ]
This summer has been another hot and dry one, and the dedicated team of water managers at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) was prepared. Since we started the year with lower-than-average snowpack, they began refilling our mountain reservoirs earlier in the year and topping them off higher than usual to help… [ Keep reading ]
At Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), we’re committed to making utility services more affordable and accessible for everyone. We understand that many customers are facing financial challenges, and we’re here to help. In addition to our customer programs like the Toilet Replacement Rebate, Side Sewer Assistance Program, Free Waste Disposal Service,… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is stepping up the fight against illegal dumping. After a year of promising results from our Illegal Dumping Camera Pilot, we’re expanding the program in 2025 to Phase 2, adding four new cameras in areas where dumping is most common. Why This Matters Illegal dumping isn’t… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle has been honored with the prestigious All-America City Award by the National Civic League. This recognition celebrates Seattle’s work to actively engage residents in the pursuit of environmental goals. Earlier this year, communities from across the country submitted written applications showcasing their efforts to bring people together, create… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle is facing a housing affordability crisis. As the city grows and development patterns shift, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is rethinking how development-related infrastructure is funded — aiming to distribute costs more fairly and equitably across the city. On April 23, 2025, Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced legislation to support housing… [ Keep reading ]
Last week, Seattle hosted the international ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit, a gathering of leaders from government, business, and hunger‑relief organizations aiming to tackle one of the biggest challenges in our waste stream: food. Right here in our city, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is at the forefront of developing smart,… [ Keep reading ]
Our community programs recently hosted our inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Event, a celebration of the incredible individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to supporting our programs and serving the community. Volunteers are the backbone of many SPU programs. They don’t just show up; they show what it means to… [ Keep reading ]
