Cascade Water Alliance
Cascade Water Alliance is a Washington municipal corporation that provides wholesale drinking water supply and conservation programs to seven member agencies in King County, serving approximately 400,000 residents through a Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline and a future Tacoma Water supply contract beginning in 2041.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersWausau, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cascade Water Alliance does
Cascade Water Alliance is a municipal corporation organized under Washington's Joint Municipal Utility Services Act (Chapter 39.106 RCW) that provides wholesale drinking water supply to seven member agencies in the Puget Sound region of Washington State: the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, and Tukwila, plus the Sammamish Plateau Water and Skyway Water & Sewer districts, collectively serving approximately 400,000 residents and an additional 380,000 in employment population. Formed in 1999 and converted to municipal corporation status in 2012, Cascade sources water from Seattle Public Utilities under a wholesale agreement providing 33.3 mgd through 2039 and ramping down through 2063, delivered via the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline. The organization purchased the White River-Lake Tapps Reservoir system from Puget Sound Energy in 2009 as a future municipal supply, holds Washington State Department of Ecology water rights (issued 2010), and in March 2025 signed new long-term supply contracts with Tacoma Water beginning in 2041 at up to 24 mgd by 2060, requiring Cascade to fund and construct a new transmission main.
The business model combines recurring rate revenue streams from members (Administrative Dues, Conservation Charge, Demand Share Charge, and the Regional Capital Facilities Charge set on a biennial basis by the board) with one-time tax-exempt bond issuances (Cascade carries a AAA S&P rating) and capital infrastructure loans, including from the State Public Works Trust Fund. Cascade also operates a portfolio of water efficiency programs - including Cascade Gardener classes, Lawn Be Gone rebates, irrigation assessments, EPA WaterSense partnerships, and the We Need Water conservation campaign - alongside specialized reservoir management at Lake Tapps (notably a milfoil treatment program with over $2.5M spent since 2010 using ProcellaCOR, and the TappsWise water quality program with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department).
Cascade is governed by a board of directors composed of elected officials from each member agency and operates with a lean staff of 11-50 employees supported by a leadership team that includes a Chief of Staff, Chief Economist/Treasurer, and six functional Directors covering Water Efficiency, Land Use, Engineering & Capital Projects, Operations, Intergovernmental & Communications, Finance, and Program Planning. A new CEO, John Taylor, was appointed May 6, 2026 following the retirement of Ray Hoffman. Geographically, Cascade's operations are concentrated in King County, Washington, with principal offices in Bellevue and an operations support site in Sumner at the White River-Lake Tapps Project Powerhouse.
Cascade Water Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cascade Water Alliance
- Legal name
- Cascade Water Alliance
- Website
- https://cascadewater.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cascade Water Alliance is a Washington municipal corporation that provides wholesale drinking water supply and conservation programs to seven member agencies in King County, serving approximately 400,000 residents through a Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline and a future Tacoma Water supply contract beginning in 2041.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cascade Water Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Utility Services
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Treated Drinking Water Transmission Pipelines (Bulk Conveyance) (TLAGAHAB)
Keywords
Where Cascade Water Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wausau
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cascade Water Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Water Supply Charges to Members: Cascade collects rates and charges from its members to fund activities. Revenue components include Administrative Dues and Conservation Charge (assessed based on total water use), Demand Share Charge (based on greater of past three years average daily demand or peak season demand), and Regional Capital Facilities Charge (RCFC) assessed for each new connection to fund capital programs and debt repayment.
- Bond Proceeds: Tax-exempt bonds issued by Cascade for eligible purposes including capital infrastructure projects. Cascade maintains a AAA bond rating.
- Loans: Loans from members or other entities such as the State Public Works Trust Fund for financing water supply infrastructure.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Multi-year contract | Demand Share Charge |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Regional Capital Facilities Charge (RCFC) |
| Subscription | Annual | Administrative Dues |
| Subscription | Annual | Conservation Program Charge |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Cascade Water Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cascade Water Alliance is a municipal water utility corporation that provides wholesale drinking water supply to seven member agencies (five cities and two water/sewer districts) in the King County/Puget Sound region, serving approximately 400,000 residents. It operates the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline for current water delivery sourced from Seattle Public Utilities, manages the Lake Tapps Reservoir as a future water source, and runs regional water efficiency and conservation programs. The organization also finances large-scale capital infrastructure, including a future Tacoma Water transmission main expected to begin delivering water in 2041.
Product overview
Cascade Water Alliance is a municipal water utility corporation that provides wholesale drinking water supply and water efficiency services to seven member agencies (Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Tukwila, Sammamish Plateau Water, and Skyway Water & Sewer District) in the Puget Sound region. The organization operates a core water supply infrastructure (including the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline) and manages the Lake Tapps Reservoir as a future water source. Its service portfolio includes water supply services, the Cascade Supply Program (connecting with Tacoma Water), and comprehensive water efficiency programs such as Cascade Gardener classes, the Lawn Be Gone grass removal rebate program, irrigation assessments, rebates through Puget Sound Energy partnerships, and the We Need Water conservation campaign. The company does not offer a software product or technology platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Supply Services Wholesale drinking water supply and delivery services to seven member agencies (five cities and two water/sewer districts) in the Puget Sound region, serving approximately 400,000 residents. Current supply is sourced from Seattle Public Utilities via the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline (33.3 mgd through 2039) and future supply will come from Tacoma Public Utilities starting in 2041.
- Water Efficiency Programs Regional water conservation services including rebates, educational classes, irrigation assessments, and conservation tools to help residential and commercial customers reduce water usage. Goal of 0.5 million gallons per day cumulative savings from 2020 to 2029.
- Rebates and Free Conservation Items Partnership with Puget Sound Energy offering rebates for high-efficiency appliances and fixtures, plus free water-saving tools including showerheads and rain gauges.
- Cascade Supply Program Regional water supply program establishing a future connection with Tacoma Water to provide resilient long-term water supply to member agencies, expected to begin in 2041. Cascade will finance, construct, operate and maintain a water transmission main from Tacoma's pipeline 5.
- Lawn Be Gone: Grass Removal Program Rebate program encouraging residents to replace water-intensive lawns with native or drought-tolerant plants, including instructional guides and videos.
- Irrigation System Assessments Free professional evaluations to improve irrigation efficiency for residential and commercial properties.
- Cascade Gardener Classes Free gardening classes and walking tours led by regional horticulture experts, offering practical advice for water-efficient landscaping in the Pacific Northwest.
Quantifiable outcome
- Conservation program goal of 0.5 million gallons per day cumulative savings from 2020 to 2029
Companies that use Cascade Water Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Cascade Water Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Cascade Water Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Tacoma Public Utilities (Tacoma Water)coreCascade signed two new water supply agreements with Tacoma Water in March 2025: a Wholesale Water Supply Agreement and a Market-Priced Wholesale Water Supply Agreement. Tacoma will begin delivering water to Cascade starting in 2041 at up to 24 mgd by 2060. Cascade will finance, construct, operate and maintain a water transmission main from Tacoma's pipeline 5 to Cascade's customers.
- Seattle Public UtilitiescoreCascade has a wholesale water purchase contract with Seattle Public Utilities. The agreement provides 33.3 mgd capacity through 2039, then ramps down through 2063. Cascade receives water through the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline.
- Central Puget Sound Water Supply ForumcoreCascade is a member of the Forum which addresses current and future water supply issues with utilities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, including supply system resiliency, planning, policy and regulation, and environmental stewardship. The Forum is conducting seismic resiliency assessments.
- Tacoma Pierce County Health DepartmentmajorPartnership on the TappsWise program to promote natural yard care and septic maintenance to keep Lake Tapps clean and healthy. The program offers workshops, site visits, and certification for homeowners.
- EPA WaterSensemajorCascade was named Partner of the Year by EPA WaterSense in 2010 for water conservation efforts. Cascade continues to participate in WaterSense programs and promotes WaterSense-certified products.
- Nature VisionminorCascade provides classroom water education for grades K-12 through its partner Nature Vision, covering topics including the global water crisis, salmon cycles, watershed ecology, water conservation, and amphibians.
- Sustainability AmbassadorsminorPartnership provides teacher and student learning opportunities in the study of water, including teacher training labs, curriculum design support, student impact projects, and video resources.
- Tilth AllianceminorPartnership for free training programs teaching sustainable gardening, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and soil and water stewardship for students, community educators, and clubs.
- Puget Sound EnergymajorCascade partners with Puget Sound Energy for rebate programs on high-efficiency appliances and fixtures. PSE previously owned the Lake Tapps Reservoir which Cascade purchased in 2009.
- King CountyminorCascade partners with King County on the Energize program to install free water-efficient devices in homes.
- Puyallup Tribe of IndiansmajorCascade has a White River Management Agreement with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians (dated August 8, 2008) ensuring in-stream flows on the White River and tribal settlement agreement.
- Muckleshoot Indian TribemajorCascade has a White River Management Agreement with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (dated August 8, 2008) ensuring in-stream flows on the White River and tribal settlement agreement for water rights.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cascade Water Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Portland Water Bureau: Portland Water Bureau serves the City of Portland and wholesale customers including surrounding cities on the Bull Run watershed system. Directly comparable as a Pacific Northwest municipal water utility with wholesale supply contracts to neighboring jurisdictions.
- Toho Water Authority: Toho Water Authority is a regional water and wastewater utility serving four Osceola County municipalities in Central Florida. Comparable as a multi-member regional water wholesaler formed by member municipalities pooling water service provision.
- Southern Nevada Water Authority: SNWA is a regional wholesale water authority serving multiple municipalities in southern Nevada. Closely comparable business model as a multi-member wholesale water agency pooling regional supply and infrastructure for member cities.
- East Bay Municipal Utility District: EBMUD is a California municipal water and wastewater utility serving multiple cities in the East Bay area. Comparable regional municipal water utility with similar governance structure and multi-jurisdiction service profile.
- Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities is Cascade's current wholesale water supplier under a declining block agreement providing 33.3 mgd through 2039. Directly comparable as a major Pacific Northwest municipal water utility with regional wholesale operations.
- San Diego County Water Authority: SDCWA is a regional wholesale water agency supplying water to 24 member agencies in San Diego County. Closely comparable as a wholesale water alliance pooling member agency demand and operating major conveyance infrastructure.
- Denver Water: Denver Water is a large municipal water utility serving approximately 1.5 million people across multiple municipalities in the Denver metro area. Comparable as a wholesale/retreat municipal water provider with significant reservoir and pipeline infrastructure.
- Tacoma Water: Tacoma Water is a municipal water utility that supplies drinking water to Tacoma and surrounding areas and is Cascade's new wholesale supplier starting 2041. Directly comparable as a Pacific Northwest municipal water provider serving multiple jurisdictions with similar regulatory and operational profile.
- Central Arizona Project: CAP is a wholesale water delivery system delivering Colorado River water to municipal and agricultural users across central Arizona. Comparable as a regional wholesale water wholesaler with large-scale conveyance infrastructure and multi-jurisdictional governance.
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Metropolitan is the largest wholesale water agency in the U.S., serving 26 member agencies across Southern California. Comparable as a regional water wholesaler with major imported supply agreements and AAA bond profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cascade Water Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceCascade Water Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cascade Water Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Cascade Water Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cascade Water Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cascade Water Alliance
What does Cascade Water Alliance do?
Cascade Water Alliance is a municipal water utility corporation that provides wholesale drinking water supply to seven member agencies (five cities and two water/sewer districts) in the King County/Puget Sound region, serving approximately 400,000 residents. It operates the Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline for current water delivery sourced from Seattle Public Utilities, manages the Lake Tapps Reservoir as a future water source, and runs regional water efficiency and conservation programs. The organization also finances large-scale capital infrastructure, including a future Tacoma Water transmission main expected to begin delivering water in 2041.
Is Cascade Water Alliance a public or private company?
Cascade Water Alliance is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Cascade Water Alliance founded?
Cascade Water Alliance was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cascade Water Alliance based?
Cascade Water Alliance is headquartered in Wausau, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cascade Water Alliance make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Water Supply Charges to Members are the primary driver. The others are bond Proceeds and loans.
Who are Cascade Water Alliance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Portland Water Bureau, Toho Water Authority, Southern Nevada Water Authority, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Seattle Public Utilities, San Diego County Water Authority, Denver Water, Tacoma Water, Central Arizona Project and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Does Cascade Water Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cascade Water Alliance.
What industry is Cascade Water Alliance in?
Cascade Water Alliance's product category is Water Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAAAB, Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations), with a secondary code of TLAGAHAB, Treated Drinking Water Transmission Pipelines (Bulk Conveyance). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.