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South Park and BIPOC neighborhoods raise water‑tap policy as barrier to new housing
Summary
Two public commenters told the committee Seattle Public Utilities’ denial of water‑availability certificates and a Director’s Rule (WTR 440) have blocked housing permits in historically underserved areas and called the policy an equity issue.
Two commenters told the select committee that Seattle Public Utilities’ (SPU) practice of denying water‑availability certificates for taps on older feeder mains has prevented development of permitted housing in lower‑income and historically marginalized neighborhoods.
Donna Breski, a licensed professional engineer, said her review found five lots on 21st Avenue South where 16 potential dwelling units were not built because SPU issued “no new taps” certifications on aging north–south feeder mains. Breski said SPU had issued over 1,600 “not approved” water availability certificates in the last 10 years and that feeder mains with no‑new‑tap restrictions run through predominantly BIPOC communities, creating “an inherent social injustice component.” She cited SPU director’s rule WTR 440 as the policy basis for the no‑new‑tap determinations.
Will McNeil, a small homebuilder, described being told by SPU that he must install an 8‑inch ductile iron water main for an entire street at an estimated capital cost of “over $800,000” to serve a single‑family development—work McNeil said would be capable of serving 100 additional homes but that the agency required for one small project. He said a comparable 1‑inch connection would cost roughly $20,000 and that SPU denials have contributed to thousands of unrealized housing units, citing an independent Urbanist article that he said identified 5,000 unrealized units in five years.
Why it matters: Both witnesses told council staff that SPU’s approach to water‑availability certificates effectively shifts major capital costs to small builders or prevents development in lower‑income neighborhoods where older mains are common. They urged the council to examine the director’s rule and SPU’s practices for potential remedy to ensure water‑service policies do not reinforce historical disinvestment.
OPCD staff did not respond to technical questions about SPU policy during the briefing. Council members asked to follow up with SPU and the mayor’s office and requested staff provide documentation of the director’s rule and data on how many new‑tap denials are active and where they are concentrated.
Ending: Council staff said they will coordinate follow‑up briefings with Seattle Public Utilities and requested that SPU provide data (counts, locations, and engineering rationale) for denials and capital upgrade requirements cited by witnesses.
