Decorative banner with illustrated green hills, trees, and flowers. Large letter ‘U’ on the left, the text ‘Utilities & You’ in the center, and a green badge on the right reading ‘February 2026.’

Photo on the left shows Mayfield Dam. Photo on the right shows trees damaged from a windstorm.

TPU employees meet December storms head-on to keep the community safe

December brought a series of intense storms to the Pacific Northwest, keeping Tacoma Public Utilities crews busy responding to weather-related emergencies.

The first storm system caused the reservoirs behind dams on the Nisqually and Cowlitz rivers to rapidly rise. Employees worked around the clock to manage water levels at dams, including some that are not designed for flood control, helping prevent severe downstream flooding.

Storm impacts also threatened the Green River Watershed, which supplies most of Tacoma’s drinking water. Crews worked long hours to protect the water treatment facility and wells until the emergency ended.

Then a fast-moving, early-morning windstorm was followed by a second wind event 12 hours later. These events impacted power to more than 20,000 customers. For the next 48 hours, crews removed downed trees and branches from power lines, replaced poles, and re-strung power lines to safely restore service to homes and businesses.

Throughout the month, Tacoma Public Utilities employees demonstrated their commitment to the community by protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring customers continued to receive essential services during challenging conditions.

Illustration of a utility worker wearing a hard hat and safety harness, climbing a power pole and working on an electrical control box, with tools hanging from a belt.

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Help with your utility bills

Colder temperatures can lead to higher heating costs, but you don’t have to face them alone. We offer programs and tools to help lower your bills and make payments more manageable.

Assistance Programs

Bill Credit Assistance Plan: Provides monthly credits for qualifying households.
Discount Rate: Offers a 35% discount on utility bills for adults 62 and over and those on disability.

Check income guidelines for both programs and apply at MyTPU.org/Assistance.

Ways to manage your account

Access tools for automated payments, reminders, and usage tracking at MyTPU.org/AboutMyAccount.
Sign up for Budget Billing to spread costs evenly across the year with predictable monthly payments based on your last 12 bills. Learn more at MyTPU.org/BudgetBilling.

Illustration of a customer service agent talking on a phone headset in front of a computer. Text reads ‘Questions? Call 253-502-8600 or visit our lobby Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.’

Photo of two light fixtures with the light bulbs on and hands screwing in one of the bulbs.

Discover Energy Savings with a Free Home Assessment

Looking for ways to electrify your home? Our free Electrification Assessment Program helps homeowners identify opportunities to improve home efficiency and comfort. You’ll receive personalized recommendations and resources designed for your specific needs. Our team will review how your home uses energy and share ideas to boost comfort and efficiency. There are no costs and no pressure, just information tailored to your home.

Learn more and check eligibility at MyTPU.org/HomeEnergyAssessment.

This opportunity is provided by Tacoma Power in partnership with the City of Tacoma and funded through an Energy Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Ready to save water and lower your bill?

Start with the Water Calculator. It’s an easy, interactive tool that estimates your household water use. Answer a few questions and get personalized tips to begin your water conservation efforts.

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TPU announces winner of 2025 Evergreen Options Grant

Big news! Tacoma Power is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2025 Evergreen Options Grant, The Metropolitan Development Council! Thanks to Evergreen Options participants, they’ll install a 40kW solar array on their building at 721 Fawcett Ave., which will lower their carbon footprint. The installation is modular, meaning MDC can expand the system in the future to increase its impact.

About Evergreen Options

Evergreen Options grants help nonprofits purchase and install renewable energy systems at their facilities. These projects are funded by customers who voluntarily participate in Evergreen Options, making clean energy possible right here in our community.

A man in a yellow safety vest inspecting a water sample. An illustrated graphic on the bottom-left shows a woman filling up a glass of water from a sink faucet.

Why Water Testing is Essential

One of the main reasons for water testing is to protect your health. Regular testing ensures our water supply meets and exceeds all state and federal regulations.

We test water daily at our water sources, treatment facilities, and throughout the distribution system to ensure clean, reliable water. Federal and Washington State rules require testing for more than 90 regulated and unregulated contaminants. We also collect about 200 bacteriological samples each month to comply with these requirements.

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**U* Trivia - answer and win**

This issue’s question. Read closely for your chance to win.

Be one of 50 randomly chosen people with the correct answer, and we will mail you a prize.

To enter, submit your answer no later than March 31 by clicking the button or by mail to:

U* Trivia
3628 S. 35th St.
Tacoma, WA 98409.

For mail-in entries, include your name, phone number, and mailing address.

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City of Tacoma employees and their immediate family members are ineligible to win. One entry per household.