Edmonds advances utility rises to fund $153m water, sewer and stormwater programme
City of Edmonds, Washington · Meeting date: November 2, 2026 · Published: November 3, 2026
Edmonds City Council voted unanimously to forward a utility-rate ordinance for approval on 10 November, setting out increases for water, sewer and stormwater through 2029. The rates underpin a 2026-32 capital programme led by $87.4 million of sewer investment, including work at the Edmonds and Lynnwood wastewater treatment plants.
Key points
- The proposed 2027 increases are 9.75% for water, 7.5% for sewer and 6.5% for stormwater, followed by further rises through 2029.
- A typical residential customer using 14 ccf would see combined bimonthly water, sewer, stormwater and utility-tax charges rise from $411.53 in 2026 to $445.45 in 2027.
- The 2026-32 sewer capital plan totals $87.4 million, including $26.9 million at Edmonds WWTP, $29.0 million at Lynnwood WWTP and $31.0 million for sewer-main replacement.
- The financial plan assumes $29.5 million of sewer debt issuance between 2028 and 2032, while water and stormwater programmes are expected to be funded largely from cash resources.
Full report
Edmonds has moved a three-year package of water, wastewater and stormwater rate increases toward final approval, framing the increases as the funding base for a $152.9 million utility capital programme through 2032.
The City Council unanimously voted on 2 November to place the proposed utility-rate ordinance on its 10 November consent agenda. The ordinance would raise water rates by 9.75% in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029. Sewer rates would rise 7.5% in 2027 and 7% in each of the following two years, while stormwater rates would increase 6.5%, 6.5% and 5%, respectively.
For a residential account using 14 ccf, the bimonthly water charge would increase from $140.52 in 2026 to $154.21 in 2027. Sewer would rise from $142.52 to $153.21 and stormwater from $59.90 to $63.79. Including utility tax, the combined bill would move from $411.53 to $445.45, an 8.2% increase.
The city’s financial plan also assumes that its utility tax remains at 20% through 2028 before falling to 10% thereafter. On that basis, the combined modelled residential bill falls by $5.60 in 2029 despite the proposed utility-rate increases, as the lower tax takes effect.
The largest investment requirement sits in wastewater. Edmonds forecasts $87.4 million of sewer capital expenditure between 2026 and 2032: $26.9 million for Edmonds wastewater treatment plant projects, $29.0 million for Lynnwood wastewater treatment plant projects, $31.0 million for sewer-main replacement, and $0.5 million for a sewer-plan update. Cash resources are expected to cover $44.7 million, wastewater-treatment-plant partners $13.2 million, and debt $29.5 million. The debt is scheduled for issuance from 2028 to 2032 and is expected to add $2.6 million in annual debt service.
Water capital needs are forecast at $30.6 million, including $20.6 million for main replacements and $9.2 million for rehabilitation of the Yost and Seaview reservoirs. Stormwater capital needs total $34.9 million, led by $16.2 million of replacement works, $12.3 million of stormwater-management-plan projects and $5.4 million in the Perrinville Creek basin.
Staff said rate revenue would allow Edmonds to cash-fund annual maintenance and replacement work, reserving borrowing for larger capital projects. The plan maintains a target of 180 days of operating reserves for each utility.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council - Regular Meeting, City of Edmonds