Pinellas County Utilities customers will see higher water, sewer and reclaimed water bills starting Oct. 1 under a four-year rate plan the Board of County Commissioners approved in 2023.

Clearwater-area residents in unincorporated pockets served by the county utility will pay the new charges. Those on Clearwater city water are not directly affected. The utility also serves customers in Largo, Seminole, Kenneth City and incorporated beach communities.

The increases mark the third year of annual step-ups running through fiscal year 2027. For a typical household with a standard 3/4-inch meter, the monthly water base charge rises $1.25 under the plan. Two county web pages, however, list different figures for the new base rate. The county's rate schedule shows $10.55 per month, while a separate rate change overview lists $11.80. The county has not explained the difference.

The monthly sewer base charge climbs $0.88 to $22.10. Customers on the reclaimed water system pay an additional $1.00 per month.

Those are fixed charges billed every two months regardless of usage.

Usage charges are changing too. Residential water customers pay $4.05 per 1,000 gallons for the first 4,000 gallons each month. Above that, the rate jumps to $9.21 per 1,000 gallons. Non-residential customers pay $5.57 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer usage runs $8.07 per 1,000 gallons, with single-family homes capped at 10,000 gallons per month.

Reclaimed water customers also lose some of their monthly volumetric allowance. The included amount drops from 16,000 gallons to 15,000 gallons, and the overage rate rises from $2.23 to $2.56 per 1,000 gallons.

Why the increases

Pinellas County Utilities receives no revenue from property taxes, gasoline taxes, franchise fees or the county general fund, according to the utility's FAQ page. Every dollar comes from customer bills. The sewer system alone costs roughly $30 million a year to operate, with mostly fixed costs that continue even when customers use less water.

No direct statement from Utilities Director Jeremy Waugh or any commissioner about the rate increases has been released.

Some fees still pending

The county's rate announcement notes that certain user fees beyond the base and volumetric charges may also change pending final board approval. The county has not specified which fees are under review or when commissioners will vote. Customers can view the full rate schedule at the county's utilities page or call (727) 464-4000.