Welcome to the City of Auburn Water Utility. Our commitment is to provide high quality, safe, and reliable water services to all our customers. Drawing from deep well aquifers and springs, independent of seasonal snowpack, we ensure a consistent water supply year-round. Through dedicated maintenance and continual improvements, we meet current needs while preparing for future demands, prioritizing public health and safety.
Water System Maintenance
The City of Auburn Water Utility routinely performs system maintenance and improvement activities, which may temporarily impact water supply for some customers. We strive to notify all affected customers through various channels, including the City’s website, phone, text and email alerts, and message boards in the vicinity of affected areas.
We encourage you to stay updated on nearby maintenance to minimize inconvenience and assure you that our goal is to restore services promptly.
Current Water Activities
Maintenance Responsibility:
- City Responsibility: The City maintains the water service line from the water main to the service meter. The City also owns a portion of the line past the meter called the tailpiece. The length of this portion of line can range from 12"-36" and should be at or near the property line.
- Customer Responsibility: Property owners are responsible for the service line from the connection at the end of the tailpiece to the building, including all interior plumbing and landscape irrigation systems. Irrigation systems and fire lines require backflow prevention devices to protect the public water safety.
For questions or concerns, please contact the City’s Maintenance and Operations at 253-931-3048 regarding:
- New installations, repairs or maintenance
- Water quality or pressure issues
- Help locating leaks
- Reporting broken hydrants or leaking mains
After-hour water emergencies: Call 911.
Service & Billing Information
For assistance with service changes or billing inquiries, email the Utility Billing Division or call 253-931-3038.
Water Rates & Conservation
The City of Auburn promotes water conservation through a tiered rate structure: as usage increases, the per-gallon rate rises. This is intended to encourage efficient water use, supporting sustainable resource management.
Here are some tips to help conserve water:
- Laundry: Wash only full loads.
- Brushing Teeth: Turn off tap (saves up to 4 gallons).
- Car Washing: Use commercial car washes that recycle water.
- Showers: Take shorter showers and consider a low-flow (2 gallons/min) showerhead. Free showerheads are available at the Utility Billing counter, 1 E Main St, Floor 2.
- Toilet Replacement: Consider a low-flow model.
For additional conservation tips, visit the WaterSense webpage, where you will find a maintenance checklist for water-efficient homes.
Safe Drinking Water in Auburn
The City works continuously to safeguard against contaminants like lead in drinking water. Although our water sources are lead-free, older plumbing in some homes may contain lead. To help prevent exposure, the City adjusts water chemistry and provides guidance to homeowners.
For homes built before 1988, consider testing your water for lead through an accredited lab (list available through the Department of Ecology).
Lead Service Line Inventory
The City of Auburn is conducting Lead Service Line Inventory to comply with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). While Auburn has no known City owned lead service lines (water service lines from the water main to the service meter), this initiative ensures that our water system is safe by identifying and verifying the material of all service lines to prevent lead exposure. We invite homeowners to participate by sharing information on the materials or history of their private water service lines. This ongoing effort is vital for maintaining a safe water supply.
Learn more about: Lead Service Line Inventory
Fluoride
The City of Auburn water naturally contains fluoride levels at or below 0.2 mg/L. The City does not add fluoride. During shortages or maintenance, we may temporarily source water from Tacoma Water, where fluoride averages 0.7 mg/L. This concentration is reduced when mixed with Auburn’s supply. For local fluoride levels, see the Fluoride Map (PDF).
Avoid Cross Connections
The City of Auburn water meets all state and federal health standards. However, cross-connections (where potable and non-potable sources meet) can pose risks. To learn more or inquire about backflow prevention, contact our Cross Connection Control Specialist at 253-288-3169. Annual testing of backflow devices is required.
For a list of testers, refer to the City of Auburn Registered Backflow Assembly Testers list (PDF).
Cross Connection Handout (PDF)
Backflow Assembly Test Report Form (PDF)
Continuous Water Usage Notice - Now What?
To detect potential leaks, the City monitors continuous water usage. If water flows consistently for over 48 hours, this could indicate a leak. Maintenance staff will inspect your water meter, if no city-side leak is found, a door hanger will notify you. To check for leaks:
- Ensure all faucets, hoses, and hydrants are fully closed.
- Inspect toilets using dye tabs (provided with your door hanger, available at hardware stores or use food coloring). Add dye to the toilet tank, wait without flushing, and if the bowl water changes color, there is a leak.
- Shut off your home’s main valve. If the meter stops, the leak is inside; if not, it’s likely between the meter and the house.
For further assistance, call the Water Division at 253-931-3066.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Reading Your Meter: Refer to the How to Read My Meter (PDF) for instructions.
- Leak Determination: Maintenance staff use acoustic devices to assess leaks on the city’s side.
Contact Us
The City of Auburn is committed to providing its customers with drinking water that meets all state and federal water quality standards. If you have any further questions, please contact City of Auburn Public Works Department - Engineering at 253-931-3010.