Hillsborough County Water Resources customers started paying more for water and sewer service this month, after county commissioners signed off on a 5% rate increase and a 2.91% price index increase for Fiscal Year 2027. A typical residential customer using 8,000 gallons a month will see their bill climb by roughly $9.31, though actual charges still depend on meter size, consumption and whether wastewater service is included.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved the new rate structure, and the increases took effect Oct. 1, according to Hillsborough County. As reported by Osprey Observer, the additional revenue is meant to support capital improvement projects throughout the county. Hillsborough County Water Resources said the rates help cover rising operating costs, routine maintenance, system improvements, resiliency needs, regulatory requirements and infrastructure investments, per the same outlet's account.
Where the Extra Money Is Going
The money feeds into the county's Water Resources Capital Improvement Program, which includes 58 projects designed to address current and future needs as Hillsborough grows, and the program represents approximately $2.44 billion in planned infrastructure investment, the Osprey Observer report states. The single biggest piece is the One Water program, described as the county's largest infrastructure project to date, with a total investment of approximately $1.5 billion spread across 10 projects.
Other categories round out the capital plan. A Master Program covering 16 infrastructure projects totals $573.09 million, while a septic-to-sewer program with nine projects totals $157 million, and a treatment facility program spanning 13 projects totals $128 million, according to the same report. The county is also investing $87 million in seven other projects, plus $47 million in the Hillsborough Aquifer Recharge Program, also known as CHARP, which includes three projects.
A Bigger Line Item Behind the Numbers
Some of that spending traces back to decisions commissioners made earlier this fall. Hillsborough County increased an existing contract by $586 million for construction of an Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, procurement of additional long-lead material and construction of a wastewater pipeline, according to a Hillsborough County meeting recap. One rate component tied to regional supply also ticked up: the Tampa Bay Water passthrough charge increased from $3.02 to $3.04 per 1,000 gallons, per the county's rate documentation.
County officials say the goal is keeping water and wastewater systems reliable as Hillsborough continues to grow, with the capital projects intended to support long-term reliability and resiliency of the system that serves customers around the clock, every day of the year. Customers can view detailed water and wastewater rates and fees online by visiting the Water Rates & Fees section at hcfl.gov/water, the county notes.
Not Just a Hillsborough Problem
Hillsborough isn't alone in asking residents to pay more for pipes and treatment plants. Pinellas County Utilities customers are also scheduled to see the fourth year of updated water, sewer and reclaimed-water rates and user fees beginning Oct. 1, continuing a multiyear schedule that began in 2023, according to Pinellas County. Further north, DeLand water and wastewater customers are expected to pay more over the next five years as that city prepares to remove PFAS “forever chemicals” from its water system and cover hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades, per ClickOrlando.
