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Case studies

Seattle Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utility implements comprehensive water efficiency programs that treat conservation as the preferred source of supplies and a citywide green infrastructure incentive program, “RainWise,” to motivate private property owners to join in the solution to storm water management. SPU debt finances these efficiency and green infrastructure rebates for private property installations, which has allowed the utility to build robust programs.

Project at a Glance

Utility Overview

  • Utility: Seattle Public Utilities
  • Location: Seattle, Washington
  • Population served: 1.4 million
  • Service area (within Seattle): ~84 square miles

Challenges

  • Drought
  • Increased demand for drinking water from population growth
  • Urban storm water management
  • Combined sewer overflows

Solutions

  • Comprehensive water efficiency programs that treat conservation as the preferred source of supplies, and citywide green infrastructure incentive program, “RainWise,” to motivate private property owners to join in the solution to storm water management.

Program costs and funding sources

  • Water Efficiency
    • Total project cost: $1.7 million in 2019 for customer rebates
    • Funding sources: Municipal bonds
  • RainWise
    • Total project cost: $1.1 million in 2019
    • Funding sources: Municipal bonds

Benefits of SPU's Water Conservation & Green Infrastructure Programs

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Regional water consumption declined by ~50 million gallons per day while population increased 28%
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800 customers receive rebates for water efficient fixtures and appliances annually
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1,600 RainWise projects installed
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23 million gallons of storm water controlled by RainWise projects per year
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Water consumption shrunk from 151 to 85 gallons per day
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6,800 free toilets installed since in 2001
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2.17 million square feet (50 acres) of roof area captured by rain gardens or cisterns
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Regional partnerships & community engagement

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