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                                         Did you know that if a city in                                          Washington State owns a                                         utility, such as a sewer or                                         water  system, the city can                                         impose a utility tax on the                                         utility charge collected from the ratepayers to support their general fund activities?

For example, the Cities of Vancouver (1), and Kent (2) each add a 6% utility tax to their water/sewer rates, and Bremerton (3) and Longview (4) add a 9.5% utility tax. The residents of the City of Richland (5) receive a utility tax of 10.5% and the City of Seattle (6) imposes a 19.87% utility tax on Seattle Public Utilities. Spokane (7) taxes their utilities 20%!

Ronald Wastewater District is an independent Special Purpose District governed by three Commissioners elected by you, the ratepayers of the District. There is an Interlocal Operating Agreement between the District and the City of Shoreline, but the District is not subject to a utility tax by the City. However, the District does pay an interlocal operating fee that is approximately 6% of the District’s gross revenues.
 
Ronald Wastewater District, Local Government
That Works…Without Taxes

Sources:
(1) www.cityofvancouver.us
(2) www.ci.kent.wa.us                                
(3) www.ci.bremerton.wa.us
(4) www.ci.longview.wa.us
(5) www.ci.richland.wa.us
(6) www.seattle.gov – Ordinance Nos. 122913, 122916
(7) www.spokanecity.org

                                                   One potential source of                                                    water pollution is sanitary                                                    sewer overflows. When a                                                    sanitary sewer line                                                    becomes blocked,                                                    wastewater may backflow into a home or overflow at a manhole in the street. The wastewater can then flow into the environment, exposing the area to bacteria and other contaminants. The contaminants eventually end up in our lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound, creating health risks for swimmers, fish and plant life.

Improper disposal of
Fats, Oils, and Grease
(FOG) is one of the
leading causes of sanitary
sewer blockages. When 
FOG enters the drain, it clings to pipe walls and solidifies. It can also cling to other solid substances and cause those substances to float. The chunks of fat, oil, and grease can stick to the layer of grease on the pipe wall. Eventually, the pipe will become clogged and cause a sanitary sewer backup or overflow. Cleaning FOG build-up from sewers increases maintenance cost for everyone connected to the sewer system.

In an effort to effectively address the issue, the District has developed a FOG Management Program.

To learn more about the District's FOG Management Program click here.

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17505 Linden Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 546-2494
Fax: (206) 546-8110
After Hours Sewer Emergency
Phone: (206) 533-0177

Office Hours
8:00am-4:30pm (M-F)

Welcome to the Ronald Wastewater District Web Site.

This site is designed to inform, educate, and support the District's residential and commercial clients. It also contains links to other helpful resources concerning water, power, the environment, and other issues that affect the quality of life in the Puget Sound region.

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Mission Statement
The mission of Ronald Wastewater District is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable wastewater collection services.
To accomplish this goal the District shall do the following:

• To listen and respond to our ratepayers with empathy ;
• To maintain and operate the wastewater collection system effectively and efficiently through an ongoing preventative maintenance program using
  modern technologies;
• To achieve equitable rates by developing prudent fiscal policies;
• To provide education, training, and development for employees that will foster teamwork, creativity, and professionalism;
• To work cooperatively with local, state, and regional, and federal agencies;
  
• To respond rapidly to emergencies, concerns, and problems.