Drainage Rates
What do your sewer and drainage rates pay for?
Protecting local waterways from sewage overflows…
Preventing flooding, landslides, and sewer backups…
Maintaining, repairing, and replacing pipes and pumps…
Protecting local waterways from pollution…
Protecting local waterways from stormwater runoff…
Relocating sewer and drainage pipelines for major projects.
2016-2018 Drainage rates proposal
The City Council adopted drainage rates for 2016 through 2018. The rates proposal was finalized as part of the budget development process in fall 2015.
City Council has approved these drainage rates for 2016.
Drainage rate structure
The City of Seattle charges property owners a fee for stormwater management services based on each property’s estimated impact on the City’s drainage system. These fees are billed as a separate line item on King County property tax statements.
Starting January 1, 2008, the City of Seattle changed the drainage rate structure which underlies the calculation of the drainage fee. The new structure improves equity among customers by more accurately reflecting customers’ impacts on the drainage system.
Understanding your drainage bill
Learn more about who pays a drainage bill, how it is calculated and where to direct payments in the Understanding Your Drainage Bill FAQ.