New Water, Sewer Rates for the New Year
St. Petersburg, Fla. (December 29, 2017) -- Starting January 1, 2018, a new rate structure will be in effect for St. Petersburg Utility customers. Due to expected increases in water and sewer rates, bills will adjust to the new rate plan starting with the new year. Rate increases for stormwater will appear on January bills, while increases for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water will be reflected on February bills.
The adjustments were necessary for maintenance and improvements to an aging infrastructure, as well as to offset higher market-driven operating expenses.
A typical customer using 4,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase of $11.02; if reclaimed water is used, the increase will be $16.45. A complete listing of charges are available at stpete.org/utilityrates.
“Our residents have been able to take advantage of 100 years of infrastructure development,” said Water Resources Interim Director John Palenchar – whose department has been in the midst of most of the work. “It’s now time to re-invest in that infrastructure and pay it forward for future generations.”
“Over the past year, some $70 million dollars in repairs and resiliency-building work has taken place in our city’s sewage system,” added Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley. He went on to say that, “our rate-payers have been very understanding that the costs associated with those improvements are our responsibility.”
Tankersley was quick to point out that the work is not done… with more than $250 million already earmarked for future water and sewer projects over the next three years.
“Additionally,” he said, “we are looking to create a master-plan where we look at our use of all water. We are all invested in this."
