Skagit Public Utility District
Home MenuWater Rates & Fees
As a public entity serving the community, Skagit PUD establishes rates and fees to fund its operations and fulfill its mission of providing clean, safe water. These charges are established based on several critical factors:
Cost Recovery
Water utilities must recover the costs of their operations. These include infrastructure construction and maintenance, water treatment, employee salaries, energy for pumping and treatment, testing equipment, chemicals, and administrative expenses. The revenue from customer bills directly funds these necessary expenses.
Financial Sustainability
Rate structures ensure the utility remains financially viable for the long term. This allows for reliable service regardless of economic fluctuations and enables the PUD to maintain adequate reserves for emergencies and planned improvements.
Capital Investment
Water systems require significant capital investment for infrastructure improvements, replacement of aging pipes, upgrading treatment facilities, and expanding capacity as communities grow. Customer rates provide the revenue needed for these critical investments.
Regulatory Compliance
Skagit PUD must meet strict federal and state water quality standards, which require continual monitoring, testing, and treatment processes. These compliance activities represent significant operational costs that must be funded through rates.
Conservation and Resource Management
Rate structures are often designed to encourage water conservation by charging higher rates for increased usage. This helps manage a finite natural resource and reduces the need for developing new water sources.
Equitable Distribution of Costs
Usage-based rates ensure that customers pay in proportion to their use of the system. This "user pays" principle distributes costs fairly among all customers based on their demand on the system.
Rate Increase Notification
The Skagit PUD Board of Commissioners has approved a 5% rate increase on all water services. This adjustment will be applied to all bills generated on or after January 1, 2026.
The rate adjustment supports Skagit PUD's continued commitment to providing reliable, high-quality water service while maintaining and improving essential infrastructure throughout our service area.
Rate Schedule Summary
Below you will find summary tables outlining the current rate schedules for various water services provided by Skagit PUD. These tables reflect the new rates incorporating the 5% increase effective January 1, 2026.