Our drains carry stormwater off of Seattle's streets, and our sewer mains carry your home or business' wastewater for treatment. We work to prevent sewer overflows, quickly respond to flooding, use Green Stormwater Infrastructure to better handle Seattle's rain, and plan future infrastructure. Find out how your side sewer connects to our sewer mains.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) builds and manages the drainage and wastewater systems that affect how water flows in, out, and around our city. Learn more about the sewer and drainage systems at work in your neighborhood in our interactive StoryMap, the Power of Water.
Your sewer bills are based on actual water usage during the winter period (November through April). For stormwater management (drainage), the City of Seattle charges property owners a fee based on each property's estimated impact on the drainage system.
Complex infrastructure systems are working underneath our city. Learn more about the history of Seattle's sewer and drainage systems, the systems at work in your neighborhood, and how we're planning for the future with this interactive StoryMap.