The source
The Pend Oreille River
The river runs north through the valley toward Canada. It is the reason a rural county could build its own power.
Electric · Water · Fiber
Public power, serving Pend Oreille County since 1936
Pend Oreille Public Utility District is a nonprofit, community-built utility, owned by the people it serves and governed by neighbors elected to the Board.
Electric
Normal
Water
Normal
Fiber
Normal
Status shown as of the last site update. During an outage, always call (509) 447-3137.
The signature journey
From the river to your meter
The Pend Oreille River runs north, an unusual path that made local hydropower possible. See how electricity moves from Box Canyon Dam to your meter.
Generation
Box Canyon Dam
The District's own dam, generating since 1956, turns the river into clean, carbon-free hydropower. The Production System sells every kilowatt at cost to the Electric System.
Delivery
Crews and lines
Line crews build and maintain the system that carries electricity across the county, with extra care in Fire-Safe Mode.
Your meter
Home
Electricity reaches your home through the meter. Water comes through one of nine community systems, and fiber is available through local providers in some areas.
Three systems, one county
Electric, water, and fiber
Electric service
Community-owned electric service across Pend Oreille County, generated in part at your own dam.
Explore Electric service
Water service
Nine separate community water systems, each managed on its own, with drinking-water protection built in.
Explore Water service
Fiber & wireless
The District builds and owns an open-access fiber network. Retail Service Providers sell you the internet service over it.
Explore Fiber & wirelessEst. 1936
Powering Pend Oreille County for nearly 100 years.
- 1930. Washington voters pass Initiative 1, spearheaded by the granges to electrify rural areas, so rural communities could build and own their own power.
- 1936. The people of Pend Oreille County form Public Utility District No. 1 under Washington's Title 54, community-owned and nonprofit.
- 1956. Box Canyon Dam begins generating clean hydropower on the Pend Oreille River.
- Today. About 90 employees deliver electric, water, and wholesale fiber across the county, governed by three locally elected commissioners.
“The purpose of this act is to authorize the establishment of public utility districts to conserve the water and power resources of the State of Washington for the benefit of the people thereof, and to supply public utility service, including water and electricity for all uses.”
Washington Initiative 1 (1930), establishing Washington's PUDs.
Current notices
What’s new at the District
April 1, 2026
New electric rates take effect
Updated electric rates, adopted by the Board after a public rate hearing, are now in effect. See the rate page for what applies to your service.
Ongoing
Fire-Safe Mode during wildfire season
Learn what Fire-Safe Mode means for your power during dry, high-risk conditions.
Ongoing
Lead service line inventory
A federal rule asks water systems to inventory service-line materials. A short survey helps the District finish the work.
Ongoing
Meter replacement project
The District is upgrading meters across the system. Advanced meters let you track usage in SmartHub; opt-out is available.
Ongoing
Residential rebates & incentives
Rebates for heat pumps, weatherization, and efficient appliances can lower your bill.