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.
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1. Drink Tap Water
The recommended daily water intake is 8 oz, 8 times a day.

Do Your Know How Your
Water Is Delivered?

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
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2. 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.

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3. 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.

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4.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.

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5.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

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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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.
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9. 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.