This proposal would add a third category to SPU's current rate structure for residential customers in Seattle. Most residential water bills in Seattle measure usage over a two-month period. Therefore, if your two-month bill shows water use above 30 ccf, the amount over 30 ccf would be subject to the proposed third tier rate. About 13 percent of SPU's residential customers are considered high consumption water users who would be likely to use more than 1500 cubic feet per month. That is about 19,000 customers in Seattle.
People still have the ability to control how much they pay for water under a third tier system.
If they save water, they save money. The City Council is considering exemptions for people using medical life-support equipment, such as kidney dialysis equipment. Seattle Mayor Paul Schell has considered a possible third tier for some time now but thought this severe drought year was a good time to make this a reality. The third tier is designed to deal with high water use during periods when there is the least amount of rainfall. A third tier sends a price signal to people as an additional incentive to use less water in the summertime.