St. Pete Residents Get Higher Water, Sewer Rates In 2018

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - St. Petersburg residents can expect higher water, sewer rates for 2018. Starting Jan. 1, a new rate structure will be in effect for utility customers. Due to expected increases in water and sewer rates, bills will adjust to the new rate plan starting with the new year, according to St. Pete officials.

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 in repairs and resiliency-building work has taken place in our city's sewage system," said Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley. He added that "our ratepayers have been very understanding that the costs associated with those improvements are our responsibility."

The pay rate changes are needed to fix aging sewer pipes and other repairs to the city's system.

Tankersley said that the work is not done, with more than$250 million already earmarked for future water and sewer projects over the next three years.

"We are looking to create a master plan where we look at our use of all water. We are all invested in this," Tankersley said.

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