Tacoma Commercial Water Rates 2026: Meter Size and Usage Both Matter
Tacoma Public Utilities says commercial water rates increased about 6.6% on Jan. 1, 2026. Commercial accounts should model both fixed meter charges and per-CCF usage.
Key Takeaway
Tacoma Public Utilities says commercial water rates increased by about 6.6% effective Jan. 1, 2026. For general commercial and industrial service, the 2026 inside-city usage charge is $2.973 per CCF, while fixed ready-to-serve charges rise by meter size, from $237.91/month for a 2-inch meter to $1,473.55/month for a 6-inch meter.
6.6%
Increase
Commercial water rates
Jan. 1
Effective
2026
$2.973
Inside City
Per CCF general service
$1,473.55
6-inch Meter
Monthly fixed charge
What changed
Tacoma Public Utilities lists a roughly 6.6% commercial water-rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. The page also publishes 2026 monthly ready-to-serve charges by meter size and usage charges by customer class.
That makes Tacoma a useful commercial bill example: a business cannot evaluate savings by looking at gallons alone. Meter size creates a fixed monthly cost before any consumption is billed.
Commercial impact model
A property using about 300,000 gallons per month uses roughly 400 CCF. At the inside-city general-service rate of $2.973/CCF, the water usage portion is about $1,189/month before fixed meter charges and any sewer or environmental services charges.
A 20% usage reduction in that same model removes about 80 CCF/month. At $2.973/CCF, the water-only variable savings is about $238/month, or $2,854/year, before considering any related wastewater charges billed outside the TPU water schedule.
What operators should check first
Start with meter size. A 4-inch or 6-inch commercial service carries a much larger fixed charge than a 2-inch service, so usage reduction will not reduce every dollar on the bill.
Then separate water from sewer or environmental services charges. Smart Valve can help with metered-volume exposure, but fixed ready-to-serve charges and some city service fees require a different review.
Commercial Water Cost Alert
Model Your Facility's Exposure
Use your current monthly bill or kGal usage to estimate how much metered-volume reduction could offset this local rate pressure.
FAQ
How much did Tacoma commercial water rates increase in 2026?
Tacoma Public Utilities says commercial water rates increased by about 6.6% effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Why does Tacoma meter size matter for businesses?
Tacoma lists monthly ready-to-serve charges by meter size, so larger commercial meters can carry significant fixed monthly cost even before usage charges are applied.
Sources
Turn Rate Pressure Into a Water Savings Plan
Smart Valve helps commercial properties reduce metered volume before higher rates and surcharges multiply the cost of every gallon.
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