Kirkland utility bills set for two years of 8% rises as asset planning accelerates
City of Kirkland, Washington · Meeting date: October 29, 2026 · Published: October 30, 2026
Kirkland expects the average customer’s combined utility bill to rise 8.4% in 2027 and 8.35% in 2028, reflecting external water, wastewater and solid-waste cost pressures. The preliminary budget also provides for a utility cost-of-service study and a surface-water pipe condition plan.
Key points
- Average combined utility bills are projected to increase by 8.4% in 2027 and 8.35% in 2028.
- Staff cited charges from Cascade Water Alliance and King County wastewater and solid-waste contracts as major external pressures on rates.
- The utilities capital programme is focused on completing replacement of the South Reservoir.
- Proposed studies would examine the cost of service across all four utilities and prioritise replacement of ageing surface-water pipes.
Full report
Kirkland’s newly adopted utility rates are set to raise the average combined customer bill by 8.4% in 2027 and a further 8.35% in 2028, as the city confronts rising regional supply, wastewater and waste-management charges alongside its own infrastructure needs.
The increases were presented during the council’s preliminary 2027-2028 budget session. Staff said the pressure on utility bills is being driven in part by costs outside the city’s direct control, including Cascade Water Alliance water-supply charges and King County wastewater and solid-waste contracts.
The budget discussion placed the rate outlook alongside a programme of utility asset planning. In the water capital programme, Kirkland is focused on completing replacement of the South Reservoir. The proposed budget also includes a utility cost-of-service study covering water, sewer, surface water and solid waste. Staff said the work would examine the specific costs of delivering services across the four utilities.
For surface water, the city has proposed an ageing-pipe plan to review pipe conditions citywide and establish priorities for replacements. The proposal was identified as a surface-water-only initiative.
The utility budget sits within a wider public works programme that also includes transportation, facilities, fleet and development engineering. Staff noted that fuel costs were a principal pressure for the fleet division, while the facilities portfolio is expanding with the addition of the Kingsgate property, the Kirkland Community Center within the Kraken Iceplex, Fire Station 27 and the public works maintenance facility.
The rate increases follow council adoption of new utility rates on October 20. During the budget session, staff characterised the combined bill impacts as a reflection of regional utility cost escalation as well as the need to sustain operating services and capital work.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Special Meeting - Oct 29, 2026, City of Kirkland