It’s a touch strange that Charlotte County’s water bills are so high for a region that hugs Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Residential users in Charlotte County’s community water system paid the highest water rates in 2015 among the 45 largest community water systems in Florida, according to a LawnStarter study of new data from consumer rights group Food & Water Watch. The annual bill for 60,000 gallons of water in Charlotte County was $545.52. Charlotte County was the only county in Florida where a single year’s water cost exceeded $500.
Cost Factors in Charlotte County
Water tariffs in Charlotte County have financed the growth of local sewer systems, according to Gary Hubbard, head of the Charlotte County Utilities Department. However, he claims that when water and sewer rates are combined, Charlotte County’s prices are in the middle of the pack when compared to comparable utilities with similar invoicing.
The fact that Charlotte County gets its water from an outside supplier, the Peace River-Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, contributes to the county’s high running expenditures. According to Hubbard, most other water utilities provide their own water.
“Our relatively tiny customer base is another aspect determining Charlotte County’s rates,” Hubbard explains.
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According to him, water distribution operating and maintenance expenses are $1,452 per mile of pipe in Charlotte County, compared to an average of $8,933 for similar utilities. Charlotte County, on the other hand, has 1,408 miles of service area but only 56,534 subscribers, or around 40 people per mile of pipe, according to Hubbard.
Florida Bills Lower Than National Average
The average annual water bill for the 45 community water systems surveyed in Florida was $288.22. The average water bill was $337.60 among the 500 largest community water systems examined across the country.
In 2015, consumers in Charlotte County paid the most for water in Florida, while those in Miami-Dade paid the least. The annual water cost for Miami-Dade customers was $116.46, according to our analysis of Food & Water Watch statistics. Toho (Kissimmee), $123.96, and Orlando, $138.67, were ahead of Miami-Dade.
The nine most expensive water bills among the 45 Florida community water systems surveyed in 2015 are listed below.
In South Florida, how much does a water bill cost?
Capital projects must be funded so that the City can continue to deliver reliable and clean drinking water while also meeting new/changing regulatory requirements for water and wastewater treatment. The South Florida Water Management District also compels the city to maintain a water-conservation-friendly rate structure.
What will be the average increase in a single family residential customer’s bill?
The average monthly water usage for a single family residential client is 600 cubic feet (approximately 4,500 gallons). This means that the average water consumer will pay an extra $0.30 each month. The average monthly bill for water and wastewater will be $77.58, an increase of $0.87.
Will I be charged for all of my water if I use water in the higher tiers?
No. Water consumption in each tier will be charged at that tier’s rate, according to the bills. Only the water consumed in a higher tier will be charged at the higher tier rate.
The stormwater charge will rise from $6.12 to $7.62 per 1,000 gallons. The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) Annual Price Index will be used to update stormwater rates, charges, and fees each year.
Simply put, the less water you use, the less money you spend. The City offers a variety of initiatives to assist you in conserving water and lowering your utility bill. Here’s where you can learn more about conservation.
Do Floridians have to pay for their water?
Utilities, Inc. of Florida recently raised its rates, and the next part contains comparison data.
The charge structure for Lee County Utilities is rather straightforward. Single-family dwellings pay the most expensive costs, with a monthly base payment of $9.15 for water and $17.50 for sewer. Each has a tiny $3.44 or $3.43 admin fee (the reason for the 1c discrepancy is unknown).
Residential single-family user costs range from $3.27 per 1,000 gallons (1,000-6,000 gallons) to $6.54 for 18,001 gallons and higher. All residential customers pay the same sewage rate ($5.85 per 1,000 gallons).
Cape Coral’s fee structure is likewise rather straightforward. There are two types of rates: commercial rates and rates for single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family homes.
The size of the meter determines the water rate, which ranges from $17.32 per month for a 5/8″ meter to $1,992.58 for a 10″ meter. Water has a per-1,000-gallon commodity tax that ranges from $3.90 for 0-5,000 gallons to $12.44 for 30,000+ gallons.
According to the meter charges indicated above, sewer prices range from $21.07 to $2,423.02. For metered water consumption, there is a $9.04 per 1,000 gallon sewer commodities tax.
The FGUA tariffs differ depending on where you live. For example, in North Fort Myers, the fees are lower than in neighbouring Lehigh Acres. Consider the following scenario:
- North Fort Myers’ base facility water service charges (as of October 2020) range from $13.09 for a 5/8″ x 3/4″ meter to $649.15 for a 6″ meter. Residential water consumption fees are $7.71 per 1,000 gallons metered.
- Rates for base water services in the Lehigh Acres System range from $15.50 for a 5/8″ x 3/4″ meter to $1,781.16 for a 10″ meter (as of October 2020). Residential consumption fees start at $5.68 per 1,000 gallons for the first 6,999 gallons and rise to $8.50 for the next 18,000 gallons.
How much does a typical water bill cost?
The average American family uses 300 gallons of water per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
16 That’s enough water to fill a six-person hot tub, to put it in context.
Water costs are also on the rise. In fact, between 2010 and 2015, it increased by 41%, with sewage charges and taxes increasing even more substantially. 17 Since 2015, the rate of increase has moderated, although prices have continued to rise.
What is the average Florida utility bill?
Florida residents pay $459.40 per month on average for utilities such as power, water, cable television, internet, trash/recycling, and natural gas.
Hawaii is the state with the most expensive utilities. The average Hawaiian utility bill is $587.79 per month.
According to the survey, one of the reasons Floridians pay so much is that their air conditioners are on for the majority of the year to combat the heat and humidity.
Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees before leaving the house, according to Florida Power and Light, is a fantastic method to save money on your electric bill.
When you leave the room, remember to switch off the ceiling fan. Before each load, clean the lint filter in your dryer.
FPL claims that its bills will be lower in 2020 as a result of investments in solar and modern plants. The average monthly bill for a residential client will drop by $4.
What is the cost of electricity in Miami?
The average monthly electricity bill for residential customers in Miami-Dade County, FL, is $181, which is derived by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electricity rate: 1,485 kWh * 12/kWh.
What is a reasonable pay in Miami?
What is the minimum wage required to live in Miami? According to the Miami Herald, you need to earn $77,057 ($46K more than the median income) to live “comfortably” in Miami. A person should spend around half of his or her after-tax income on needs, according to a financial rule of thumb.