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Setting up utilities in Seattle

In Seattle, Seattle City Light delivers electricity, Puget Sound Energy delivers gas, Seattle Public Utilities runs water, sewer depends on your address, and Seattle Public Utilities handles trash pickup.

Moving to Seattle? Public Grid can set up your electric for you.

Your utilities in Seattle

Who to call for each service in Seattle, and how to start it.

ServiceProviderHow to start

Electric

Seattle City Light

The electric company for Seattle and neighboring suburbs.

To start: Seattle City Light checks who you are before it starts service, with a few credit-related security questions that don’t affect your credit score. Public Grid’s setup asks for your Social Security number for this and tells you exactly what you’ll need.

Or let Public Grid set it up →
Start or stop service1 (206) 684-3000Start on seattle.gov (opens seattle.gov in a new tab)
Read our Seattle City Light guide

Gas

Puget Sound Energy

PSE operates the state’s largest natural gas distribution system.

To start: Select “I am new to PSE’s service area” on PSE’s Start service page.

Customer service1 (888) 225-5773Start on pse.com (opens pse.com in a new tab)

Water

Seattle Public Utilities

SPU provides water, sewer, garbage and recycling service.

To start: Create a profile on the Utility Services Website and use the online application to start service.

Only owners, not tenants, may establish residential water, sewer, or garbage accounts.

Customer service1 (206) 684-3000Start on seattle.gov (opens myutilities.seattle.gov in a new tab)

Sewer

Depends on your address

Seattle Public Utilities

SPU provides water, sewer, garbage and recycling service.

Most of Seattle

To start: Create a profile on the Utility Services Website and use the online application to start service.

Only owners, not tenants, may establish residential water, sewer, or garbage accounts.

Customer service1 (206) 684-3000Start on seattle.gov (opens myutilities.seattle.gov in a new tab)

Valley View Sewer District

Valley View provides wastewater collection and transmission.

A small area at the south city limits (check with the district)

Valley View bills residential customers on a bimonthly basis.

Customer service1 (206) 242-3236valleyviewsewer.org (opens valleyviewsewer.org in a new tab)

Trash & recycling

Seattle Public Utilities

SPU provides water, sewer, garbage and recycling service.

To start: Create a profile on the Utility Services Website and use the online application to start service.

Only owners, not tenants, may establish residential water, sewer, or garbage accounts.

Customer service1 (206) 684-3000Start on seattle.gov (opens myutilities.seattle.gov in a new tab)

What Seattle homes pay for electricity

This is Seattle City Light’s average for the homes it serves. Your own bill depends on your home’s size and how you heat it.

$87

Seattle City Light’s average home bill, per month

15.0¢

Seattle City Light’s average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

FAQ

Questions about moving to Seattle

Seattle City Light does not require a deposit when establishing service.

If you’ve never had utility service with the City, it may be easiest to create a profile on the Utility Services Website and use the online application. If online verification fails, you need to visit a walk-in center with approved, government-issued photo identification.

Sources: Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Public Utilities, Valley View Sewer District, EIA.

Public Grid isn’t affiliated with these companies.

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