Environmental Services
Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department is dedicated to protecting public health and the environment through essential services like garbage and recycling collection, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and climate action planning. By ensuring clean water, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable practices, we are committed to ensuring healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound – leaving a better Tacoma for all.
Learn more about the utility services and other programs that the Environmental Services Department provides.
Contact Us
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Please call Customer Service for any of the following:
- wastewater, surface water and solid waste billing inquires
- to request a change of service
- to request replacement containers
- to schedule a Call-2-Haul appointment
- to report missed pick-ups
- questions regarding drop-off boxes
Customer Service is available Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: (253) 502-8600 -
For power/electricity inquiries or water inquiries please call the number below. For information about payment options, starting, and stopping service, credit and deposit policies, utility bill assistance and business hours for Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water, visit Tacoma Public Utilities online.
Tacoma Public Utilities
Phone: (253) 502-8600 -
For life-threatening emergencies, please dial 911. For other urgent issues related to sewer backups, storm drain flooding, or pollution concerns, contact our 24-hour emergency lines listed below.
- Sewer Backups: (253) 591-5585
- Storm Drain Flooding: (253) 591-5585
- Pollution Hotline: (253) 383-2429 (Leave a confidential message 24 hours/day)
- 24-Hour Emergency Line: (253) 591-5585
24-Hour Emergency Line
Phone: (253) 591-5585 -
The Environmental Services Director oversees the City’s Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste utilities and is located in the Center for Urban Waters building. For power or water inquiries, please contact TPU directly.
Environmental Services Director's Office
Phone: (253) 591-5525Fax: (253) 591-5097
Meet the Director
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Geoffrey M. Smyth, P.E.
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Interim Director, Environmental ServicesGeoffrey M. Smyth, P.E.
The Director of the Environmental Services Department manages and operates three utilities for the City of Tacoma. The Wastewater, Surface Water, and Solid Waste utilities employ over 500 personnel with a biennial operating and capital budget in excess of $450 million.
Prior to becoming the Interim Director, Smyth was the Assistant Director (AD) of Environmental Services. The AD assists in developing and implementing plans and goals for the department while working with the director to coordinate and supervise daily operations by ensuring compliance with regulations and internal policies whose departmental mission is to provide Surface Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Utilities to the City of Tacoma. The Environmental Services Department helps create sustainable solutions for the management of a variety of environmental programs that are essential to cleaning up the Puget Sound and more locally, Commencement Bay and its surrounding urban waters.
Smyth has more than 30 years of progressively responsible experience in the private and public sector working for water and wastewater utilities. He has led a variety of work groups that have focused on water quality through water distribution, water treatment and wastewater treatment operations, asset management and capital delivery. He also served as a project manager for a multitude of wastewater comprehensive plans, water system plans, facility plans, and rates and budget plans.
Professional Licensing/Registrations
Professional Civil Engineer, Washington
Water Distribution Manager 4, Washington
American Public Works Leadership FellowEducation
M.S., Civil Engineering from the University of Akron – Akron, Ohio
B.S., Ocean Engineering from Florida Tech – Melbourne, FL
Water and Wastewater Leadership Center Graduate from Keenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NCProfessional Affiliations
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American Public Works Association (APWA)
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Solid Waster Association of North America (SWANA)