City of Tacoma
  Jefferson and Hood Street Surface Water Interceptor
Tacoma and Environmental Services Background
 

City of Tacoma Background

The City of Tacoma was founded in 1868 and is currently the third largest city in the state of Washington, after Seattle and Spokane. Tacoma is situated approximately 32 miles south of Seattle and 29 miles northeast of Olympia.

Downtown Tacoma and Commencement Bay as viewed from the south.
West Tacoma, the Narrows Bridge, and Mt. Rainier as viewed from the west.


Tacoma operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of an elected Mayor and eight elected Council Members (from five districts and three at-large). All serve four-year terms.

The Tacoma Environmental Services Division is responsible for providing wastewater, surface water, and solid waste services to the residents of Tacoma, as well as to several areas outside Tacoma’s city limits. These services are provided through three separate utilities, each with their own rate structure. Power and water services are provided through the City Water and City Light Divisions, which are not part of the Public Works or Environmental Services Departments. Additional information about the City of Tacoma can be found on the City’s web site www.cityoftacoma.org.

Downtown Tacoma, Thea Foss Waterway, and the Tacoma Dome as viewed from the south.


Surface Water Utility Background

Environmental Services manages a surface water collection system comprised of approximately 500 miles of underground gravity pipe and numerous surface water pump stations. Tacoma’s surface water collection system is separate from its wastewater collection system.

Additional information regarding Tacoma’s surface water system can be found at:
www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/environmentalservices/surface_water/surface_water_system