Disputing a Bill

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has a dispute escalation process that generally consists of the following four steps: 

  • Utility staff review
  • Supervisor/Lead review
  • Managerial review
  • Hearing Officer review

Customers may request an independent interpreter through SPU's services for interpretation, teleprinters/teletypewriters (TTY), or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD in cases where there is a language, speech, or hearing barrier.

Read more about our dispute policy (PDF).

Note: If you are disputing a bill reflecting exceptionally high water usage, please review SPU's Leak Adjustment webpage and Leak Adjustment Director's Rule (PDF).

Initiating a Dispute

When initiating a dispute, please ensure that you:

  • Explain what and how much is being disputed.
  • State why you are disputing a charge or decision.
  • Describe what action or relief you are requesting.

You can dispute a bill by contacting us by any of these methods:

  • Use our online form.
  • By phone: Call an SPU customer service representative at (206) 684-3000.
  • In person: Visit the Customer Service Center in the lobby of the Seattle Municipal Tower (formerly Key Tower), 700 5th Avenue, in Downtown Seattle.
  • By mail: Mail your letter to:
    Seattle Public Utilities
    Attention: Customer Response Division
    PO Box 34027
    Seattle, WA 98124-4027

Undisputed charges should be paid at the time the dispute is initiated.

Standard processing time for initiating and resolving a dispute is 20 business days upon receipt of a dispute. SPU will inform the customer throughout the process if the timeframe needs an extension, particularly for more complex disputes.

 

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.