WestRock-related Water Rates

In August 2023, Atlanta-based packaging manufacturer WestRock Company announced they would close their Tacoma paper mill effective Sept. 30, 2023. Westrock’s usage accounted for approximately 1/3 of overall daily use of our water, equal to the water use of more than 100,000 homes and a significant revenue loss for the water utility. Click here to learn more about the closure and related system impacts.

To make up for the revenue shortage, we needed to raise our drinking water rates by 5 percent, in addition to an already approved system average rate increase of 4 percent.

Date in effect: January 1, 2024

• System-wide increase: 5%

Residential average increase on your bill per month:

• $2.28 if you live in Tacoma
• $3.03 if you live in our surrounding service area

As part of the WestRock rate increase, Tacoma Public Utilities will provide enhanced residential assistance programs for customers who need it most. These enhancements will offset the rate increase for qualifying income thresholds. Click here to learn more about payment assistance programs.