City of Seattle vaccine clinics have an adjusted schedule for the remainder of 2021. Learn more about hours and how to make an appointment.

Winter Weather Collection Delays Due to winter weather, garbage, recycling, and food/yard collections may be delayed. Check the At Your Service blog for the most recent updates about these delays and follow us on twitter @SeattleSPU.

Bill Assistance SPU knows the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for some of its customers to afford essential services. We're here to help. SPU has several financial assistance resources available, including flexible payment plans, utility discounts, and emergency bill assistance. You can help by donating to the Community Donation Fund. 

Watering too much causes many common plant problems. You can grow healthier, deeper-rooted plants, save money on water bills, and conserve precious water by learning to give your lawn and garden just what they need, and no more. Start with these key tips from the Smart Watering Guide (pdf) .

Most plants do best if the soil is allowed to partially dry out between waterings. For lawns, a loss of shine or footprints showing indicate that it’s time to water. Vegetables and other annuals should be watered at the first sign of wilting, but tougher perennials (plants that live several years) only need water if they stay droopy after it cools off in the evening. Trees and shrubs usually don’t need any watering once their roots are fully established (two to five years), except in very dry years.

Watering deeply builds deeper, healthier root systems. To see if you are watering deep enough to moisten the whole root zone, dig in with a trowel an hour after watering to check the depth.

Some easy ways to lower water bills and get more water to plants include:

Automatic systems often waste a lot of water, or they can be fairly efficient depending on how you set and maintain them.

Smart Watering (pdf) - This guide will help you plan your yard to use water efficiently. Get to Know Your Soil (pdf) - Solve soil problems, and determine how long and how often to water to grow deeper-rooted and healthier plants. How to Water New Plants - Learn how to get your new plants off to a healthy start. Soaker Hose Instructions (pdf) - Save water, money and time by installing and using soaker hoses. The Plant List (pdf) - 240 great plants for our region: most are drought tolerant, many natives.

Rebates & Tips for Irrigation Systems - Tips to set and maintain your automatic irrigation system, and rebates for water-saving upgrades.

Saving Water Partnership - Great ideas and rebates for water conservation in your home, yard, school, or business.

(206) 633-0224 (language interpretation available) or email from the website: Garden Hotline: your garden, our expertise.

Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104 Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177 Phone: (206) 684-3000

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. The Water Utility provides more than 1.3 million customers in King County with a reliable water supply; the Drainage and Wastewater Utility collects and disposes of sewage and storm water; and the Solid Waste Utility collects and disposes of recycling, yard waste, and residential and commercial garbage. All three utilities strive to operate in a cost-effective, innovative and environmentally responsible manner. SPU also houses the Engineering Services line of business, which serves both City departments and outside agencies, providing efficient, customer-oriented engineering services that assist clients with replacing, improving, and expanding facilities with the least possible disruption to the community.