Connection Charges

Basin Area Rates

Pierce County collects sewer connection charges to help offset the impacts of new development on public sewer system infrastructure.  Connection charges provide the funds needed to protect public health and the environment by keeping pace with growth.

Each charge is determined by multiplying the appropriate rate by the number of Residential Equivalent (RE) units discharged to the public sewer system. The rates below are effective as of Feb. 1, 2023.

Connection Charge Map

Map of Pierce County sewer connection charges per residential equivalent (RE) Opens in new window(Click to image to enlarge)

Sewer Connection Charges by Basin (Interactive Map)

2023 Area Basin Charge (Per Residential Equivalent)

 Basin NameArea ChargeUsage Charge *
American Lake Gardens/Tillicum$1,661$25.89 
Brookdale$2,014
$27.49 
Browns Point$1,635
$25.78 
Canyon$3,258
$33.14 
Cascadia (subject to future charges)$0$0
Chambers Creek Properties$613$21.14 
DuPont$1,916$27.06 
East Basin$4,239$37.58 
Etloh$0$0
Frederickson$3,492$34.19 
Golden Given$1,409
$24.74 
Hylebos$2,133$28.04 
Lakewood East$1,661$25.89 
Lakewood West$3,640$34.87 
Oakbrook$3,640$34.87 
Parkland$1,870$26.84
Rainier Terrace$3,499$34.23
Spanaway$5,370$42.72 
South Tacoma$1,705$26.09 
Summit$2,598$30.15
University Place East$2,084$27.81 
University Place West$613$21.14 

* Monthly usage charged to commercial customers participating in the Alternative Commercial Connection Charge Program described in PCC 13.04.077. 

2023 Sewer Rates


2023 Capacity Charge (Per Residential Equivalent)

 Basin NameArea Charge
All other basin areas *$4,047
Cascadia$0
Etloh$17,689

* Capacity charge applies to the American Lake Gardens/Tillicum, Brookdale, Browns Point, Canyon, Chambers Creek Properties, DuPont, East Basin, Frederickson, Golden Given, Hylebos, Lakewood East, Lakewood West, Oakbrook, Parkland, Rainier Terrace, Spanaway, South Tacoma, University Place East and University Place West. 

2021 Average Connection Charge Comparison

Sewer Service ProviderCost per Residential Equivalent (RE) 
City of Renton (Includes King County Charge)$15,910*
City of Gig Harbor$9,640 - $14,460
City of Seattle (Includes King County Charge)$12,595*
City of Bonney Lake$11,606
City of Auburn (Includes King County Charge)$11,514*
City of Kent (Includes King County Charge)$11,514*
Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater (LOTT)$9,542
Kitsap County$6,578
City of Yelm$6,394
Pierce County$5,701**
City of Everett$5,270
City of Sumner$5,124
City of Puyallup$4,880
City of Kelso$4,600
City of Federal Way (Lakehaven)$3,789
City of Tacoma$3,250
City of Vancouver$2,740

* King County Capacity/Connection Charge is approximately $12,300 amortized over 15-years at $68.34/month
** Average over 19 basin areas = $5,701 per Residential Equivalent (excludes Cascadia and Etloh)
One Residential Equivalent (RE) is equal to 220 gallons per day 

Connection charge comparison shows the average fees associated with connecting one household to sewers. Each charge is determined by multiplying the appropriate rate by the number of Residential Equivalent (RE) units discharged to the public sewer system. For Pierce County this includes the WWTP Capacity Charge and the Basin Area Charge. For other Sewer Service Providers this includes their equivalent fees. The listed fees do not include latecomer agreement costs, other permit costs, engineering, and construction costs that may be associated with the cost of connecting to sewers.

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Phone:
(253) 798-4050

Sewer Billing & Customer Service:
(253) 798-4020

24-Hour Sewer Emergency:
(253) 798-7000

Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Closed all major holidays
Mailing Address:
9850 64th St. W
University Place, WA
98467-1078