Illustrated banner with people walking in rain gear through puddles in a grassy park, with flowers and raindrops. Text reads “Utilities & You” and “April 2026.”

Reliable Power Rain or Shine

On April 1, updated power rates took effect. With an average increase of about $7.09 per month for residential customers, these changes help us maintain and upgrade the system you rely on from neighborhood lines to regional infrastructure.

In the Northwest, preparing for all kinds of weather requires ongoing investment. It’s all part of keeping your power reliable, no matter what the forecast brings.

We understand that rate increases impact you, so we work hard to keep our costs down. Find utility bill assistance, payment management tools, and conservation programs to help lower your bill at MyTPU.org/Rates.

Two utility lineworkers in safety gear working on electrical equipment while suspended on a platform attached to a power pole.

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A light bulb sits on the earth – inside is a tree sprout. The background shows a blurred view of greenery.

Help Power a Greener Tacoma

Applications are now being accepted for the Evergreen Options Grant. Local nonprofits and public agencies can apply for up to $50,000 to install renewable energy projects in Tacoma Power’s service area.

Funded by Evergreen Options participants, this program turns community support into real impact.

Know an organization that could benefit? Share this opportunity.

A green button that reads “Apply for the Evergreen Options Grant” on top of an illustrated banner of plant foliage.

Spruce Up Your Spinkler System

Maintaining irrigation systems helps conserve water and lower your utility bill. Start with four simple steps:

Inspect for leaks and breaks and make repairs
Connect pipes and valves tightly
Direct sprinkler heads toward landscaping, not pavement
Select a smart controller that adjusts to weather conditions

Illustration of a man in overalls fixing a sprinkler.

These repairs and adjustments prevent water waste and can help lower your utility bills this summer.

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BONUS

We also offer rebates to support you. If you buy a smart irrigation controller, or hose timer, apply for a rebate up to $100 at MyTPU.org/SmartIrrigation.

Two people standing on a snowy road holding a metal bar and measuring snow depth. Illustrated snowflakes appear on the top and an eyeglass graphic appears on the bottom left.

Snow Surveys Help Us Forecast Water Supply

Each winter, our watershed team travels by snowmobile into the Upper Green River Watershed to measure snow depth. The surveys estimate how much water the snowpack holds.

Snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, slowly releasing water into streams in the spring.

By tracking accumulation and melt rates, Tacoma Water can forecast water supply and plan to keep our systems reliable. Currently, Tacoma Water does not anticipate changes to water availability despite the current low snow depth.

Snowpack in the upper Green/Duwamish watershed is currently about 26% of normal. Average snow depth is about 40 inches, well below the typical 95 inches for this time of year. Low snowpack can affect salmon habitat and water supply later in the year. By closely monitoring these conditions, we can plan ahead and manage resources responsibly to support the environment and the communities we serve.

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From Reservoir to Restoration

What looks like driftwood in Lake Cushman is helping restore habitat across our region.

Each year, Tacoma Power collects and repurposes naturally accumulated wood in the reservoir, making it available to partners for restoration projects. This work is part of Tacoma Power’s broader Natural Resources efforts to support healthy ecosystems and rivers.

In 2025 and early 2026, about 80 logs and rootwads were reused across multiple sites. Partners, including Mason Conservation District, Pierce Conservation District, and Thurston Conservation District, are using these materials in projects from Shelton to Olympia.

By repurposing these natural materials, Tacoma Power supports regional partners and improves habitat for fish and wildlife.

A repurposed Cushman log at the Pioneer School Mason Conservation District Pollinator Garden – illustrated flowers appear on the bottom.

Photo courtesy of Jen Thurman-Williams, Mason Conservation District

Approximately 30 volunteers wearing matching “Rebuilding Together South Sound” T-shirts gather on a lawn in front of a blue home, smiling and holding a banner; tools and equipment are visible in the foreground.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: TPU Employees Give Back

In 2025, Tacoma Public Utilities employees’ donations helped provide food, gifts, school supplies and hope to individuals and families throughout the community.

Fighting Hunger and Supporting Families

Donated 1,303 pounds of food valued at $2,814 during the Families Unlimited Network food drive, helping ensure access to nutritious meals and essential resources.
Contributed more than $3,750 in food and supplies to My Sister’s Pantry, helping families and their pets.
Packed 1,000 Break Bags with Emergency Food Network, providing students with meals during winter break when school lunches are unavailable.

Illustrated graphic of two people in matching t-shirts. One is holding a box labeled “donation” and the other is holding a heart.

Brightening the Holidays

Provided 375 gifts valued at nearly $6,000 for local foster children through the Giving Tree for the Wishing Well Foundation.
Supported 55 families and more than 100 individuals with $15,000 in gifts through Adopt-a-Family.

Empowering Students and Youth

Donated more than $10,000 in supplies to HopeSparks including 149 backpacks, 63 jackets, and hundreds of socks, gloves, and school supplies.
Contributed 1,276 books (valued at more than $8,249) to Communities in Schools.

Supporting United Way

Employees raised $154,657 through payroll deductions, Paid Time Off donations, and fundraising events, helping advance efforts to lift 15,000 families out of poverty by 2028.

From helping a young adult settle into a first apartment to ensuring a family of eight felt included during the holidays, TPU employee generosity created meaningful change in our community throughout the year.

Biennial Budget Process Underway

As a public utility, we set rates to cover the costs of essential services. This includes the cost of providing safe, reliable services to include maintaining infrastructure, protecting natural resources, meeting regulations, supporting a specialized workforce, and investing in system improvements.

This fall, we will submit our 2027-2028 biennial budget to the Public Utility Board and Tacoma City Council for approval.

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Public Utility Board members from left to right: William Bridges, Anita Gallager, Elly Claus-McGahan, John O’Loughlin, and Devin Hampton.

The Public Utility Board: Working for You

The Public Utility Board represents the communities we serve and works to support Tacoma Public Utilities customers and strengthen our public utility.

Members are appointed by the City of Tacoma mayor and confirmed by the City Council. They serve five-year terms and provide policy direction for TPU.

The Board’s guiding principles provide focus on:

Customer and Community: Compassion, equity, transparency, and data-driven improvements

Employee and Culture: A safe, inclusive and growth-oriented workplace

Resource Stewardship and Sustainability: Environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning

Together, these principles help ensure reliable, affordable services now and into the future.

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Green button that reads “Email the Board at UtilityBoard@Tacoma.gov.”

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 May 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.

Teal button with white text that reads ‘Enter To Win.’

A graphic that reads “How many inches of snowpack affecting salmon habitat and water supply are typical for spring? 0, 40, 80, or 95.” An eyeglasses graphic appears on top.

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