Seattle's First Water System, 1889

Seattle had a disastrous experience with a private utility: the water system could not provide firefighters enough water to help fight a small fire. One month later, voters approved buying and operating the City's private water utility. This was the beginning of Seattle Water Department, now a part of SPU. Under SWD's leadership, Seattle went on to build and operate a modern water system that supplies Seattle and many adjacent communities. Photo source: Historylink