Longwood residents could see their water and wastewater bills climb sharply over the next few years, as city commissioners prepare to take up an ordinance that phases in higher base and volume charges through 2029. The proposal, pitched as a way to shore up the city’s utility system, gets its first reading at Monday night’s commission meeting, with a second reading already penciled in for June 1.
City Manager William Watts told commissioners that a recent, comprehensive rate study found the current fee schedule no longer keeps up with operations, maintenance, regulatory obligations, and planned capital projects, including a new water treatment plant, according to WKMG ClickOrlando. Staff used that study to craft an ordinance that phases in increases and creates a formal process to adjust rates in future years. The stated aim is to stabilize the utility’s finances so the system can meet upcoming capacity demands and tighter rules.
What residents pay now
The City of Longwood’s current utility schedule lists a 3/4‑inch residential water base charge of $15.29, plus tiered volume rates for usage, along with utility billing contacts and the City Hall address. Those published numbers are the starting point staff used to model how the proposed rate changes would hit actual bills over time. To see the full fee table and contact details, check the City of Longwood's utility rates page.
How steep would the increases be
Under the draft ordinance, the monthly base charge for a standard residential water meter would rise from $15.29 to $35.30 by Oct. 1, 2029, while volume rates would more than double over roughly the same period, WKMG ClickOrlando reports. The plan also calls for an automatic annual adjustment beginning Oct. 1, 2030, tied to the Consumer Price Index and capped at 5% to blunt large year‑to‑year jumps. Staff says phasing in the hikes and limiting the CPI factor are meant to make the hit to wallets more predictable while still generating enough cash to cover required upgrades.
Why residents are watching
Longwood’s water system has already been on the hot seat this spring. A water‑main break in Hidden Oak Estates, linked to nearby fiber‑installation work, tore up a cul‑de‑sac and triggered extra scrutiny at recent commission meetings. That incident is one of more than a dozen underground utility strikes the city has logged this year, according to fiber fiasco coverage. Residents and commissioners alike say those high‑profile failures are coloring the debate over how to pay for system‑wide fixes and how much of the cost should land on monthly bills.
How to follow the vote
The first reading of the ordinance is listed on Monday’s City Commission agenda, with the second reading scheduled for June 1. Residents can download the full agenda packet and find meeting details through the city’s online portal. For agenda PDFs, meeting calendars, and contact information for the city clerk or the utility billing office, visit Longwood's City Commission page. City staff is encouraging anyone worried about how the changes might affect their specific bill to call the utility billing division, so their account can be reviewed directly.
