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About TPU

We deliver clean, reliable services essential to quality of life.

Tacoma Public Utilities Potlatch line tower in Tacoma's west slope community. The red and white transmission tower is shown from a drone on a sunny late afternoon with a blue sky and wispy clouds in the background. Evergreen trees surround the tower.

Tacoma Power

Provides service to Tacoma, Fircrest, University Place, Fife, parts of Steilacoom, Lakewood, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and unincorporated Pierce County as far south as Roy.
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A small waterfall in the Green River Watershed which is the main source of Tacoma Public Utilities' water supply.

Tacoma Water

Tacoma Water has operated and maintained one of the country’s oldest, publicly-owned water systems for more than 100 years.
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Red, white and black Tacoma Rail caboose in front of the Tacoma Rail facility. There are cloudy skies behind the caboose.

Tacoma Rail

Tacoma Rail has been part of Tacoma’s working waterfront for more than 100 years. Tacoma Rail is likely the only utility-owned railroad connected to the North American rail network.
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About us

  • Publicly owned since 1893
  • Largest department in Tacoma City government
  • Operates entirely from revenues from sale of services, not from taxes
  • Governed by the Public Utility Board, the members of which appoint the Director of Utilities
  • Approximately 1,350 employees

Map of service area

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Tacoma Public Utilities History

Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water open

The city’s residents vote to buy the struggling Tacoma Light & Water to create the public utility.

1893

Tacoma Water starts service from Green Water facility

July 12, 1913: The city opened the water valves in Tacoma and clean Green River water flowed into the city.

1913

Tacoma Rail established

Tacoma Rail begins serving Tacoma’s waterfront as the Tacoma Municipal Belt Line Railway.

1914

Tacoma Rail becomes part of the utility

A Tacoma City Charter amendment transfers the railroad to Tacoma Public Utilities. At the time, the railroad carried freight and passengers, including workers traveling to and from the Port of Tacoma.

1925

Tacoma Rail becomes a freight-only service

The Tidelands Division becomes freight-only.

1937

Tacoma Rail expands service

Tacoma Rail begins providing freight service on the Lakewood Subdivision, extending service along a key regional corridor. The subdivision expands Tacoma Rail’s reach beyond the Port and connects customers in the South Tacoma and Lakewood area.

2004

Tacoma Water expands water supply

A second supply pipe is completed from the Green Water supply.

2006

Tacoma Water opens new Green River Filtration Facility

The gravity-based system remains the principal water source that we provide to our customers inside and outside of Tacoma.

2015