North Tacoma, Old Town and Ruston

Tacoma Water supplies North Tacoma, Old Town and, by contract, Ruston; but Tacoma's city offices handle sewer and permits only inside Tacoma, while the Town of Ruston runs its own sewer and permit desk.

Sheet revised November 4, 2026

Tacoma or Ruston: which rules apply?

Your town line decides. In Ruston, the town provides sewer, storm and electric within its limits and contracts with Tacoma Water for water, and residents set up and pay for water directly with Tacoma. Ruston sewer bills have two parts: a fixed charge for Ruston's infrastructure and a flow charge that is Tacoma's charge for treating the wastewater.

Replacing the sewer line between the main and a Ruston home needs a building permit and a to-scale site plan, the town says. Digging within 15 feet of the right-of-way can bring a street excavation permit too. Tacoma's rules below are Tacoma's; do not assume they apply in Ruston.

Side sewers on the Tacoma side

In Tacoma the owner maintains the side sewer from the building to the city main, and the city maintains the main, including tees, wyes and risers. You can work on your own line with a permit. Repairs in the right-of-way, even on the private line, must be done by a contractor licensed and bonded to work in Tacoma.

An undated city flyer says most homes in Tacoma were built before 1950, that few have replaced side sewers, and that clay and concrete pipe was used through the 1970s. Its advice is to look into any line past 25 years old, or any without PVC the whole way to the main. Since December 1, 2010, real estate professionals must give buyers and sellers a side sewer flyer before closing. More on side sewers.

Old pipes, lead and grit

Tacoma Water confirmed in 2024 that service lines in its distribution system are non-lead; a project begun in 2016 found and removed the final 342 lead goosenecks. Your side of the meter is a separate question. The utility ranks pre-1986 houses with lead-soldered copper as its highest risk and will give customers a lead test kit free. Lead and old lines has the steps.

Old galvanized pipe on your side can send rust and grit to the taps, the utility notes.

If grit has damaged an aerator or cartridge, one store lists faucet parts. PlumbingSupplyAndMore and this atlas are run by the same team.

For central and east Tacoma, turn to the South Tacoma sheet.

Testing is how to learn about lead. Please do not cut into a pipe to look; use the free kit, or ask the utility or a licensed plumber.