Water is about to get more expensive for tens of thousands of Sunshine Water Services customers across Central Florida, after state regulators signed off on a rate hike that kicks in June 1, 2026.
The Florida Public Service Commission on April 13, 2026 approved a settlement that raises water and wastewater rates for customers from Pinellas County to Polk County. The deal covers multiple classes of service and tweaks the utility’s original proposal, but it still means higher monthly bills for households and businesses.
The commission voted to accept a compromise that trims the utility’s first request and sets new tariffs for different customer groups, according to WFTV. Regulators shifted some project expenses into later proceedings in an effort to blunt the immediate sticker shock on customer bills, the station reported.
What Customers Will Pay
Under the settlement, customers face an across-the-board increase of roughly 12.58 percent, and Sunshine Water Services' requested annual revenue boost was cut back to about $4.3 million, according to the Florida Public Service Commission.
Commission documents show a typical residential water bill for 4,000 gallons will rise from $21.17 to $25.95. A typical wastewater bill for 6,000 gallons will climb from $68.53 to $79.47. Put together, that is a noticeable jump for many households watching every utility line on the budget.
Why Regulators Approved It
Commissioners said the vote followed a detailed review of plans to upgrade Sunshine’s Mid-County wastewater treatment facility, a project tied to roughly $24 million in engineering and construction costs, and to improve compliance and reliability across the system, according to WFTV.
Company officials told reporters the work includes replacing aging pipes and getting systems ready for rapid growth in communities the utility serves, according to WTSP. In other words, Sunshine argues customers are paying now to avoid bigger problems and potentially higher costs later.
Pushback From Customers And Watchdogs
Many residents who spoke at PSC hearings were not impressed. They pointed to ongoing service issues, including irrigation troubles and odor complaints, and argued that higher bills are a tough sell when they feel the basics are not consistently up to par, according to WESH.
The state Office of Public Counsel formally opposed the original rate request, and consumer advocates have warned that this settlement adds to a broader pattern of recent utility approvals that are already nudging Floridians' monthly costs higher. Regulators did shave off some near-term charges in the final agreement, but that has not quieted concerns from customers wary of yet another increase on the utility side of their bills.
Customers who are unhappy with the decision, or who simply want answers, can still weigh in. They are able to submit comments to the docket and to the commission’s consumer office for follow-up.
What Happens Next
The settlement takes effect June 1, 2026. Customers who want to file comments or questions with regulators can reference Docket No. 20240068-WS or email the PSC clerk using the instructions laid out in the commission’s filing, according to the Florida Public Service Commission.
The vote comes amid a string of high-profile utility settlements, including a large electric settlement last year that has drawn legal challenges and plenty of attention at the state Capitol. That fight was detailed in coverage of a big FPL rate hike, underscoring how closely advocates are watching every new adjustment that lands on Floridians' monthly bills.
