The City of Mukilteo is informing customers that Surface Water Utility rates increased on January 1, 2026, from $36.32 to $45.21 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). The surface water utility fee is billed every two months and appears on your Mukilteo Water and Wastewater bill as “City storm water,” with a separate 6% tax listed as “City storm water tax.”
Surface water rates are based on Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs), where one ERU equals 2,500 square feet of hard surface area such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and walkways. Single-family and duplex residential properties are billed for one ERU, regardless of hard surface area. Commercial, multifamily, and other non-residential properties are billed based on the actual square footage of hard surfaces on the site.
The rate increase is based on a 2023 rate study, included in the City’s 2024–2030 Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan, and presented to City Council in March 2024. Over the next several years, the additional revenue will support new maintenance and administrative staff, improved upkeep of surface water facilities, replacement of aging infrastructure, and compliance with the City’s Phase II NPDES stormwater permit under the federal Clean Water Act.
The Surface Water Utility is a stand-alone service responsible for managing Mukilteo’s drainage system, including storm drains, pipes, ditches, detention ponds, and catch basins. Fees collected are used exclusively for surface water services, such as flood prevention, pollution control, infrastructure maintenance, and protecting local streams and the Puget Sound.
Some customers may notice that their first bill of the year does not appear to add up at first glance. This is due to the Mukilteo Water and Wastewater District’s two-month billing cycles. January bills may reflect both the December 2025 rate and the new January 2026 rate combined, while February bills reflect two months at the new rate. For example, a single-family residential customer billed in February 2026 would see a total of $90.42.
Financial assistance is available. Qualifying low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled residents may receive a 50% discount on the residential rate. Applications can be submitted to Mukilteo City Hall or emailed to mmcentire@mukilteowa.gov. For help, call 425-265-8028.
Residents interested in future surface water issues or involvement can contact the City at 425-263-8170.