Seattle Water Utility Help Desk: Pay, Login, Call or Fix a Bill
Most people searching “Seattle Water Utility” need Seattle Public Utilities. Use this page to pay a bill, log in, start or stop service, call the right number, report a water leak, request a payment plan, check rates, or handle a shutoff notice.
Start Here: What Do You Need?
| Searcher intent | Best official route | Prepare first | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay without login | One-Time Payment | SPU account number and mailing ZIP code. | Official portal says credit card or checking-account payments can be made without a fee. |
| Log in / manage account | City of Seattle Utility Services | Seattle Services profile login, account number, email. | Use for account overview, billing history, payment history, autopay, budget billing, and service moves. |
| Pay by phone | 877-398-3531 or customer service 206-684-3000 | Account number and payment method. | 877-398-3531 is listed as 24/7 toll-free pay-by-phone on SPU contact guidance. |
| Billing help | 206-684-3000 | Bill copy, account number, service address, payment proof. | Customer service hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-6:00 PM Pacific. |
| Water leak, outage, flooding, sewer overflow | 206-386-1800 | Address, cross street, issue type, photos only if safe. | SPU Operations Response Center is 24/7 for urgent drainage, wastewater, and drinking water issues. |
| Past due / disconnected water | 206-684-5800 | Notice, account number, amount paid, payment plan request. | Use for payment, payment plan, and reconnection scheduling after shutoff. |
| Start / stop / move service | Start or Stop Services | Effective date, forwarding address, buyer name if sold, meter-read question. | Stopping service requires proper closure with effective date, meter reading, and forwarding address. |
| Water/sewer map or new connection research | DSO Water & Sewer Map | Property address or parcel details. | The map is preliminary planning only and does not replace permitting or approval. |
Shutoff warning: if you received an urgent notice, do not rely on mail or a slow posting method. Call SPU before paying and ask which option protects service today.
Official Seattle Public Utilities Info Box
SPU Office
Seattle Public Utilities
700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900
Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address:
PO Box 34018
Seattle, WA 98124-5177
Main Customer Routes
Customer Service: 206-684-3000
Out of area toll-free: 800-862-1181
Email: SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov
Payment Mailing Address
City of Seattle
PO Box 35177
Seattle, WA 98124-5177
Make checks payable to City of Seattle and include the account number in the memo line.
Pay Bill or Log In: Step-by-Step
Choose login or one-time payment
Use City of Seattle Utility Services for account management, or One-Time Payment if you only want to pay now.
Match the account
For one-time payment, use the SPU/SCL account number and mailing address ZIP code. Match the service address, balance, and due date before submitting.
Pick the safest payment route
Use online payment for normal bills, pay-by-phone if login fails, customer service if service is at risk, and mail only when you have enough time before the due date.
Save proof
Keep confirmation number, date/time, payment amount, account number, screenshot, and staff name if you called.
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-time online payment | Credit card or checking bank account; no fee listed on portal. | Paying quickly without account login. | Payment made today may not immediately reflect in account balance. |
| Online account login | Utility Services profile supports account overview, billing/payment history, autopay, budget billing, payment plans, and service moves. | Ongoing account management. | Set up a Seattle profile if you do not have one. |
| Phone payment | Pay utility bill by phone at 877-398-3531; customer service/pay route also lists 206-684-3000. | Portal problems or no computer access. | Have account number and payment method ready. |
| City of Seattle, PO Box 35177, Seattle, WA 98124-5177. | Normal bills with enough lead time. | Not safe for same-day shutoff protection. | |
| Walk-in | Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, 4th Floor lobby entrance, or listed walk-in centers. | In-person payment/account questions. | Confirm current location/hours before going. |
Which Seattle Utility Phone Number Should You Call?
Credit / collections
Past due, shutoff, reconnection, payment plan questions. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
24/7 operations
Water leaks, pipe breaks, outages, flooding, sewer overflows, water quality concerns.
Language / relay
Translator: 206-684-3000, press 5 then 5.
Deaf / hard of hearing: 711.
| Problem | Call | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Bill question, login issue, move service | 206-684-3000 | “I need help with account [number] at [service address].” |
| Water shutoff / disconnected / urgent past due | 206-684-5800 | “I need to pay, set up a plan, and schedule reconnection.” |
| Street flooding or water/sewer entering home | 206-386-1800 | “Water from street/sewer is entering [address] or flooding [street].” |
| Water main leak, hydrant leak, outage | 206-386-1800 | “There is a leak/outage at [address/cross street].” |
| Drainage and sewer maintenance | 206-386-1800 | “I need drainage/sewer maintenance help for [location].” |
| Development water/sewer availability | 206-684-3333 | “I need DSO guidance for water/drainage/wastewater availability.” |
Water, Sewer, Flooding or Drinking Water Emergency
SPU urgent response
24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent drainage, wastewater, and drinking water issues.
| Issue | Use this route | Quick action |
|---|---|---|
| Water from street or sewer entering home | Call 206-386-1800 immediately. | Keep people away from contaminated water; document only if safe. |
| Urban/rainwater flooding or ponding | Call 206-386-1800 for urgent flooding; use service request for clogged storm drains. | Clear leaves only if safe; never enter floodwater. |
| Water pipe break or hydrant leak | Call 206-386-1800. | Give nearest address, cross street, and flow direction. |
| Discolored water after outage | Run cold water for a few minutes; if not clear, wait 1-2 hours and try again; call 206-386-1800 if it remains discolored. | Use bathtub/shower cold tap for flushing, not hot water. |
| Water quality concern | Call 206-386-1800 or email DrinkingWater.Quality@seattle.gov. | Note color, taste, odor, fixture, time started, and whether neighbors are affected. |
Start, Stop, Transfer or Close Seattle Utility Service
Online
- Use Utility Services Website.
- Log in to your Seattle profile.
- Start/stop water, sewer, electricity, garbage, recycling, or food/yard waste.
- Create a profile if you do not have one.
By phone
- Call customer service at 206-684-3000.
- Phone hours: 7:30 AM-6:00 PM.
- Have service address and move date ready.
- Ask whether a meter reading or closing fee applies.
Walk-in
- Seattle Municipal Tower.
- 700 5th Ave, 4th Floor lobby entrance.
- Bring bill, ID, lease/sale details, payment proof.
- Confirm current center hours before visiting.
| Move task | Official detail | Do not miss |
|---|---|---|
| Sold property | You need the buyer’s name to close your account. | Keep closing date and forwarding address ready. |
| Stopping service | You are billed until account is properly closed with effective date, meter reading, and forwarding address. | Do not assume moving out automatically closes the account. |
| Closing water account | Water meter reading fee: $60 when closing account. | Ask when final meter read will occur. |
| Opening garbage/recycling/food-yard | Account setup fee: $10 when opening account. | Choose correct container/service options. |
| Sewer account fee | SPU start/stop page lists no sewer opening/closing fee. | Sewer charges can still appear on final bill. |
| Refund request | Call 206-684-3000 if you are the account holder, stopped service, have a credit balance after final bill, and do not receive utility rate assistance. | Ask for refund timing and mailing address confirmation. |
Past-Due Balance, Payment Plan or Water Shutoff
Short-term plan
Available for all customers through SPU if you can pay the past-due balance within 60 days.
Long-term plan
Residential customers with a past-due balance of at least $100 may use PromisePay for long-term payment plans.
Disconnected water
Call 206-684-5800 to make payment, set up a payment plan, and schedule reconnection.
| Situation | What to do | Ask this exact question |
|---|---|---|
| Past due but service still on | Call 206-684-3000 or set up a payment plan online. | “What plan keeps my service active?” |
| Need more than 60 days | Use PromisePay if residential and eligible. | “Is my account eligible for long-term PromisePay?” |
| Water already disconnected | Call 206-684-5800 Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM. | “What payment or plan is required to schedule reconnection?” |
| Heat alert / extreme heat | Request reconnection if residential water was disconnected for nonpayment and NWS issues/intends a heat-related alert. | “Can I request extreme heat reconnection?” |
| Scam call | Do not pay a caller demanding immediate payment. Verify through 206-684-3000 or your Utility Services profile. | “Can you verify my real account status?” |
Seattle Utility Bill Assistance
Utility Discount Program
Income-qualified households can receive a 50% discount on Seattle Public Utilities water, sewer, and solid waste bills, plus 60% on Seattle City Light electricity bills.
UDP phone: 206-684-0268
Email: UDP@seattle.gov
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance can help income-qualified single-family residential customers with immediate utility bill help.
SPU guidance says eligible customers may receive up to $1,000 annually toward urgent/past-due balance in shutoff guidance.
Payment plans
Payment plans are available for active SPU accounts, including residential, business, and property owners.
Call 206-684-3000 for setup help.
Who can apply? SPU assistance pages say programs are open to income-qualified customers regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Official assistance links:
High Seattle Water Bill: Leak, Dispute and Adjustment Paths
Check usage first
Compare the bill period, CCF use, seasonal outdoor water, household changes, and whether sewer/solid waste/drainage-related lines changed.
Leak adjustment
SPU offers billing adjustments for most leak types. Contact Utility Account Services at 206-684-5800.
Underground leak
If the leak is between the water meter and house foundation, contact SPU before repair is covered and do not backfill until inspection if required.
| Leak adjustment rule | What SPU requires | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Repair deadline | Repair must be completed within 60 days after receiving the initial high utility bill indicating a leak. | Fix quickly and keep receipts/photos. |
| Underground leak | Call 206-684-5800 after repairs to schedule any necessary inspection; do not cover repairs until SPU approves. | Call before backfilling. |
| Other leak types | Proof such as photos, receipts/invoices, or written explanation of repairs is required. | Attach documentation before asking for adjustment. |
| Not eligible | High consumption from theft, vandalism, or negligence is not eligible. | Ask SPU how your situation is classified. |
2026 Water, Sewer and Drainage Rate Details
Water base charge
Most common residential meter size, 3/4" and less, inside Seattle: $21.35/month in 2026.
Sewer rate
2026 sewer rate: $20.18 per CCF. Typical monthly residential sewer bill: $86.77.
CCF math
One CCF equals 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water.
| 2026 rate item | Inside Seattle | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" and less base charge | $21.35/month | Most common residential meter-size base charge. |
| Off-peak water usage | $5.82 per CCF | Applies Sept. 16-May 15. |
| Peak first tier | $5.98 per CCF | May 16-Sept. 15, up to 10 CCF in 60 days. |
| Peak second tier | $7.39 per CCF | Next 26 CCF in 60 days. |
| Peak third tier | $11.80 per CCF | Over 36 CCF in 60 days. |
| Residential sewer | $20.18 per CCF | Typical single-family customer generates 4.3 CCF wastewater/month. |
| Drainage fee | Collected with King County property taxes | Not shown on regular utility bill; appears as SWM or Drainage. |
Peak-rate tip: summer water use can jump into higher tiers. If the bill looks high, compare CCF use and outdoor watering during May 16-Sept. 15.
Seattle Water Locality, Rate Area and District Context
| Area / context | Why it matters | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Seattle | Standard SPU city customer context for water, sewer, drainage, solid waste, and account services. | Use MyUtilities, 206-684-3000, and SPU official pages. |
| Outside Seattle | SPU residential water rate tables include outside-Seattle rates. | Check rate table before estimating cost. |
| Shoreline & Lake Forest Park | Residential water tables include Shoreline and Lake Forest Park city rates, not water districts. | Confirm whether you are city-served or a separate water district customer. |
| Burien | SPU residential water rate table includes Burien column. | Use the correct location column in rate tables. |
| King County property-tax context | Drainage fee appears on King County property tax bill, not regular SPU utility bill. | Search King County property tax info if you need drainage charge details. |
| Construction / parcel research | DSO Water & Sewer Map shows water mains/services, sewer and drainage mains, parcel zoning/land use, and environmentally critical areas. | Use map for preliminary planning; call DSO for details. |
Water Quality, Water Sources and Outage Help
Annual report
Seattle’s Drinking Water Quality Report is required by EPA and gives customers information about drinking water quality.
Cedar & Tolt sources
Seattle manages the Cedar River and Tolt River watersheds; snow in mountain watersheds supports fresh water supply in spring and summer.
Which water do I get?
SPU says more than 80% of Seattle residences receive Cedar supply. Broadview, Bitter Lake, Crown Hill, Northgate, Haller Lake, Pinehurst, and parts of Maple Leaf, Wedgwood, Greenwood, View Ridge, and Roosevelt regularly receive Tolt water.
| Question | Answer | Official route |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the water quality report? | SPU publishes Water Quality Annual Reports / Consumer Confidence Reports. | Water Quality Annual Reports |
| What if water is discolored? | After an outage, try running cold water for a few minutes. If not clear, wait 1-2 hours and run cold water again. Call if it remains discolored. | 206-386-1800 |
| Where is the outage map? | SPU shows planned and emergency outages on its live Water Outage Map. | Water Outages |
| Water taste, odor, color issue? | Report as water quality concern with time, fixture, color/odor/taste, and whether neighbors are affected. | DrinkingWater.Quality@seattle.gov or 206-386-1800 |
Water & Sewer Map, New Service and Property Research
DSO Water & Sewer Map
- Search by address in the upper-left search box.
- Review water mains and services.
- Review sewer and drainage mains.
- Check parcel zoning, land use, and environmentally critical areas.
- Use for preliminary planning only.
When to call DSO
The map may omit transmission pipelines/feeder mains for security and may show obsolete or no-tap mains. For parcel-specific infrastructure, contact DSO.
DSO: 206-684-3333
Email: spu_dso@seattle.gov
Seattle Public Utilities Map and Visit Details
Use this map for Seattle Public Utilities at Seattle Municipal Tower. For payment-specific walk-in help, confirm the current customer service center route before visiting.
| Location | Address | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Public Utilities | 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA 98104 | SPU administrative office and official utility address. |
| Seattle Municipal Tower walk-in service | 700 5th Ave, 4th Floor lobby entrance, Seattle, WA | Start/stop service walk-in route listed by SPU. |
| Payment mailing address | City of Seattle, PO Box 35177, Seattle, WA 98124-5177 | Mail SPU utility bill payments; include account number in memo. |
| SPU mailing address | PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA 98124-5177 | General SPU mailing address. |
Seattle Water Utility FAQ
What is the Seattle Water Utility phone number?
Seattle Public Utilities customer service is 206-684-3000, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-6:00 PM. For urgent water, sewer, flooding, and drinking-water issues, call 206-386-1800 anytime.
Where do I pay my Seattle water bill online?
Use the official City of Seattle Utility Services portal for login, or the official One-Time Payment page to pay with an SPU account number and mailing ZIP code.
Is there a fee to pay online?
The official one-time payment portal says payments can be made without a fee using a credit card or checking bank account.
How do I log in to Seattle utilities?
Use myutilities.seattle.gov/eportal and sign in with your Seattle Services profile. The account area supports overview, billing history, payment history, payment methods, autopay, budget billing, payment plans, and service moves.
What is the Seattle Public Utilities pay-by-phone number?
SPU contact guidance lists pay utility bill by phone at 877-398-3531, 24/7 toll-free. Customer service is 206-684-3000.
Where do I mail a Seattle Public Utilities payment?
Mail payments to City of Seattle, PO Box 35177, Seattle, WA 98124-5177. Make checks payable to City of Seattle and include the account number in the memo line.
How do I start or stop Seattle water service?
You can start or stop service online through the Utility Services Website, by calling 206-684-3000, or by visiting Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Ave, 4th Floor lobby entrance.
What fees apply when opening or closing service?
SPU lists a $60 water meter reading fee when closing a water account, a $10 garbage/recycling/food-yard account setup fee when opening, and no sewer opening/closing fee.
Who do I call if water is shut off for nonpayment?
Call SPU Credit and Collections at 206-684-5800 to make a payment, set up a payment plan, and schedule reconnection.
Can I get a payment plan?
Yes. Short-term payment plans up to 60 days are available for all customers through SPU. Residential customers with at least $100 past due may qualify for long-term PromisePay plans.
Does Seattle offer utility bill assistance?
Yes. Income-qualified customers may use the Utility Discount Program for a 50% SPU bill discount and Emergency Assistance for urgent past-due help.
What is the emergency number for a Seattle water leak or sewer backup?
Call 206-386-1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for urgent drainage, wastewater, and drinking-water issues including flooding, sewer overflow, water outages, pipe breaks, and leaks.
Does Seattle Public Utilities offer leak adjustments?
Yes. SPU offers billing adjustments for most leak types. Contact Utility Account Services at 206-684-5800. Repairs must be completed within 60 days after the initial high bill indicating a leak.
What is 1 CCF on my Seattle water bill?
One CCF equals 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water. Seattle’s 2026 residential rate page uses CCF for water commodity charges, and the sewer page also lists sewer charges per CCF.
What is the most common 2026 residential water base charge inside Seattle?
For a 3/4-inch and smaller meter, listed as the most common residential size, the 2026 inside-Seattle base service charge is $21.35 per month.
Where can I see Seattle water outages?
Use SPU’s Water Outages page. Planned and emergency outages are shown on the live Water Outage Map.
Where can I find Seattle water quality reports?
SPU publishes Water Quality Annual Reports / Consumer Confidence Reports and water quality analyses on its official website.
Is this the official Seattle Public Utilities website?
No. This is an informational guide. Confirm live balances, shutoff status, rates, deadlines, payment posting, and emergency instructions with official Seattle Public Utilities sources.
30-Second Seattle Water Checklist
Pay/login: MyUtilities login or One-Time Payment → account number → ZIP code → save confirmation.
Phone help: customer service 206-684-3000; credit/shutoff 206-684-5800; urgent water/sewer/flooding 206-386-1800.
Past due: call before using slow payment, ask for short-term plan, PromisePay, or emergency assistance.
High bill: check CCF use, leaks, summer peak tiers, sewer charge, solid waste, and drainage/property tax context.
Moving: close account with effective date, meter reading, forwarding address, and buyer name if sold.