Utility Department

If you are a newcomer to the City of Ruston or want to change the occupancy of your utility billing, you must submit a Change of Occupancy form. A completed form and deposit payment (cash or check) must be delivered or mailed to the City of Ruston at 5219 N Shirley Street, Ruston, WA 98407. Please contact the Utility Clerk at utilityclerk@rustonwa.org or (253) 759-3544 #2 with questions

Required Deposits

• $200 deposit for a private residence or other nonbusiness premises,
• $300 deposit for a type A business (defined as small offices, nonservice businesses and multiple unit dwellings) premises,
• $600 for type B business (defined as restaurants, cabarets, and service businesses) premises.

Electric rates

The City of Ruston purchases power from our neighbor Tacoma Power. When Tacoma Power increases electrical rates, the City of Ruston increases its electrical rates.

Effective March 21, 2023, Residential/Commercial customer’s base rate is $24.25. Low-income disabled and low-income senior customer base rate is $19.74. The City of Ruston’s residential/commercial rate is $0.1114 per kWh (kilowatt-hour). Low-income disabled and low-income senior residential rate is $0.0795 per kWh (kilowatt-hour).

Effective March 21, 2024, the City of Ruston’s residential/commercial rate will be $0.1157 per kWh (kilowatt-hour). Low-income disabled and low-income senior residential rate will be $0.0826 per kWh (kilowatt-hour).

To find out more information about electric utility connections, meter upgrades visit the Electrical Utility Department.

Sewer

For applications and information on sewer connections, click on the link Sanitary and Storm Sewer - Ruston (rustonwa.org). Submit applications for utility connections or service orders to the Utility Clerk.

Sewer - Wastewater Rates

Residential wastewater rates are based on the average monthly amount of fresh water a household used during the winter months of December, January, February, and March - when water usage should be at its lowest. This eliminates any extra water used in summer gardening and yard maintenance, which doesn't end up in the wastewater treatment system. Water is provided by the City of Tacoma who reports customer consumption to the City of Ruston.

Each single-family residence (including those instances where more than one family residence is served through one water meter) is charged as follows:

Residential Rates:
Effective March 21, 2023: Fixed monthly charge: $67.67 plus a flow charge of $5.65 per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water consumption.

Effective January 21, 2024: Fixed monthly charge: $67.67 plus a flow charge of $6.05 per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water consumption.

The Fixed charge is for the City of Ruston's sewer infrastructure costs.
The Flow charge is the City of Tacoma's charge for the treatment of wastewater.

Commercial Rates:

Commercial wastewater rates are based on the amount of fresh water used each month.

Commercial treatment rates are determined by their business classification.

Effective March 21, 2023: Fixed monthly charge: $55.60 plus a flow charge (see schedule below) per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water consumption.

Effective January 21, 2024: Fixed monthly charge: $55.60 plus a flow charge (see schedule below) per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water consumption.

Category 1 – Effective March 21, 2023, $7.84 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $8.47 per ccf

Photo Finish Laboratories – Taverns/No Food Preparation – Laundromats - Photo Studios - Car Washes
Lime Manufacturers - Nursing Homes - Commercial Printers - Business Form Printers

Category 2 - Effective March 21, 2023, $8.46 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $9.14 per ccf

Hotels and Motels/No Restaurant – Hospitals – Auto Dealers – Top and Body Repair Shops – Repair and Paint Shops – Auto Repair Shops – Asphalt Felts and Coating – Domestic Strength – Chemical Processors – Coating and Engraving – Concrete Ready-Mix Suppliers – Funeral Services/No Embalming – Manufacturers – Meat Distributors – Meat and Fish Markets – Paint Manufacturers – Platers – Soft Drink Beverage – Vehicle Parts Manufacturers

Category 3 - Effective March 21, 2023, $10.65 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $11.51 per ccf

Canned and Cured Fish – Fresh or Frozen Fish – Grocery Stores/Others - Bowling Alleys/No Restaurant.

Category 4 - Effective March 21, 2023, $12.51 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $13.52 per ccf

Hotels and Motels/With Restaurant

Category 5 - Effective March 21, 2023, $12.70 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $13.72 per ccf

Industrial/Commercial Laundries
Bakeries (Manufacturers)

Category 6 - Effective March 21, 2023, $14.56 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $15.73 per ccf

Bakeries/On Site Baking – Restaurants (Category 1) – Taverns/With Food Preparation (Category 1)
Bowling Alleys/With Restaurant (Category 1)

Category 7 - Effective March 21, 2023, $16.45 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $17.77 per ccf

Grocery Stores/Full Service - Funeral Services/With Embalming

Category 8 - Effective March 21, 2023, $17.02 per ccf and Effective January 21, 2024, $18.39 per ccf

Restaurants (Category 2) – Taverns/With Food Preparation (Category 2) – Bowling Alleys/With Food Preparation (Category 2)

Commercial/Industrial users not identified above will be billed at domestic strength.

For questions or more information, please contact the Utility Clerk at (253) 759-3544 ext. #2.