Residents of Bellevue are facing higher monthly utility costs following a formal budget briefing presented to the City Council on July 17, 2026.
The alliance, which includes several cities and water districts, manages critical water rights and storage facilities, including Lake Tapps.
Without these wholesale adjustments, the long-term viability of the regional grid would be at risk, potentially leading to even higher costs during system failures.
The Cascade Water Alliance’s role is to ensure that Bellevue does not face the water scarcity issues seen in other parts of the country, but that security comes at a premium.
This move toward independence required substantial initial investments and ongoing fees to maintain the infrastructure that links these cities.
Bellevue City Council reviews Cascade Water Alliance proposal for 9.5% annual wholesale increases, impacting residential bills through 2028.