Award Winners
Seattle Public Utilities
2004 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Seattle Public Utilities sustained a range of competitiveness accomplishments. Currently, Seattle is applying the Triple Bottom Line concept in its economic analyses of capital projects and programs. This concept recognizes that actions, projects and programs have social and environmental outcomes as well as financial. These implications are quantified and weighed in decision-making processes. As Seattle evaluates proposed new projects and programs, the utility is looking at the costs and benefits over the lifetime of the project or program, not just the initial development and construction costs. This approach has already saved millions of dollars. Seattle has documented various customer and environmental service levels and established key performance indicators. It is working toward improving service levels in a variety of areas, including a recent initiative allowing customers to use Internet technology and interactive voice response technology to conduct business during and outside of normal business hours. Along with customer service improvements, Seattle also made significant improvements in crew productivity by establishing performance goals, developing monthly performance reports, consistent use of bi-weekly work programs, and developing and implementing best practices. As a result of these initiatives, 2003 water and wastewater operations and maintenance expenditures fell by eight percent.
Seattle Public Utilities
2001 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
- Serves a population of 1.3 million people in the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
- 1,300 employees and a budget of $462 million for 2001.
- Water system includes the Tolt and Cedar River watersheds and a small aquifer, as well as approximately 176 miles of supply mains and 460 millions gallons of storage capacity in transmission and distribution reservoirs, supporting nearly 150 mgd average water use.
Seattle Public Utilities
2022 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is committed to operational excellence, leverages technology, and ensures its investment decisions are informed by financial, environmental, and social impact life-cycle costs and benefits. SPU’s Strategic Business Plan charts the utility’s investments, operations, and service quality. Operational response, customer satisfaction, system performance, and equity and inclusion are among the performance metrics tracked by the utility. Workforce efforts focus on racial equity resulting in high numbers of hires and promotions for diverse populations. SPU also engages the community in robust outreach by offering financial assistance programs and investing to achieve community priorities.