Like most things in the city, Seattle’s utility rates for water, sewage, garbage, and recycling are also set to rise. The Seattle City Council approved a plan Monday that will increase rates by around 20% for residents and businesses.

Seattle Public Utilities says the increases are needed because of inflation and labor costs, construction and maintenance, and rising utility taxes.

The Seattle Times reports the approved plan projects monthly costs for a typical house and typical apartment to reach $275 and $155, up from $223 and $127 this year. The monthly cost for a small store would rise about $200 to $1,319, according to the Times.

Electricity prices will also be headed up. Seattle City Light’s latest approved plan includes 4.5% average annual increases.

In addition to increase costs, the COVID-19 crisis has also hit utilities hard. SPU delinquent accounts have increased 82% during the pandemic. Account shut-offs remain suspended in the city.

Monday’s unanimous council vote included the approval of District 3 representative Kshama Sawant.

HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.

Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for as little as $5 a month.