Utilities - Money Saving Tips

Nine ways to save money during these tough economic times. These tips will not only keep money in your wallet, but help protect the environment.

Drink Tap Water

Do Your Know How Your
Water Is Delivered?

The recommended daily water intake is 8 oz, 8 times a day.

This adds up to a half a gallon of water a day or 182.5 gallons in one year. The cost of bottle water really adds up.

City tap water $1.03
Bottle water $1,445.00*
Drink tap water and save $1,444 a year.

Wondering about Olympia water quality? View our 2009 Water Quality Report. Get the facts; Olympia's water meets or exceeds all State and Federal standards.

* Calculations based on 99 cents for 16 oz bottled water

Get a Smaller Garbage Cart

Learn how you can reduce your waste and then get a smaller garbage cart. Not only will you save money, it is good for the environment. A customer that recycles and goes from a 95-gallon cart to a 20-gallon cart will save $267.60 a year.

Park your Car - Walk, Bike or take the Bus

Parking your car not only saves you money but it is good for both you and the environment. You can save thousands of dollars a year by leaving your car at home. Find out about your commute options.

Conserve Water

High water use impacts your bill. This is because Olympia has a use-less, pay-less 4-tier system that promotes conservation. Here are some ways that you can save money on your water bill.

Outdoor water saving tips - outdoor watering is the biggest user of water; with summer coming, learn how you can save.
Rain barrels - use mother nature to water your flowers.
Repair leaky hoses - leaks can waste lots of water. Fix them when you find them. Learn if you are eligible for a free hose repair kit.
Indoor conservation - learn how to conserve water indoors.

Recycle

Did you know that recycling is free, plus you get a discount on your garbage rate for carts 35-gallons or larger? Not signed up? Call Utility Billing for more information at 360.753.8368 select option 1.

Garbage Cart Size	Without Recycling	With Recycling	Savings A Year
35-gallon cart	$31.30	$24.98	$37.92
65-gallons cart	$42.72	$34.08	$51.84
95-gallons cart	$74.00	$59.06	$89.43

Compost at Home

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste going out, while helping the environment. You have a variety of options available for home composting. No space? A large percentage of your garbage is food waste; reduce your garbage cart size by composting at the curb.

Sign Up for Automatic Bill Pay

Sign up for FREE direct payment and save the hassles of writing checks and buying postage; plus, your payment will always be on time.

Buy a Resource-efficient Washing Machine

Purchase a resource-efficient washing machine and save water, energy, and money! Plus you will be eligible for a $100 mail-in rebate if you are a City sewer customer and purchase a qualifying machine. You may also qualify for a rebate from Puget Sound Energy; visit the PSE website for more information.

Lifeline Program for Low Income

The City of Olympia offers a Lifeline Rate on utilities services for customers who qualify as low-income and disabled, and low-income senior citizens. This rate applies to residential customers only.

Contacting Public Works:

Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A
Mailing Address: PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507
Download printer-friendly (PDF) directions to our office
Hours: M - F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
Phone: 360.753.8588
TTY: 360.753.8270
Email: publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us
Public Works home page.