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Tampa ponders drought billing

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By NEIL JOHNSON

njohnson@tampatrib.com

Published: May 6, 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa City Council this month will consider a drought surcharge that could double or even triple the bills of big water users.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is pushing a surcharge as a tool to cut water use.

The city's rate structure has tiers 0 through 4 based on water use. The proposal would add two tiers of increasing rates.

Currently, the highest level - tier 4 - charges $4.06 for every 100 cubic feet of water for anyone using 46 or more units of 100 cubic feet a month.

Each 100 cubic feet of water equals 748 gallons, so tier 4 applies to customers using 34,408 gallons or more a month. The average residential customer in the Bay area uses 8,000 gallons a month.

Under the proposal, tier 4 would charge $4.06 for every 100 cubic feet for customers using 46 to 74 units a month.

The new tier 5 would charge $8.16 for every 100 cubic feet from 75 to 99 units.

The new tier 6 would charge $12.24 for every 100 cubic feet over 100 units.

The council will consider the surcharge at a workshop May 28. If the council agrees, an ordinance could be adopted after two public hearings 30 days apart, said Steve Daignault, the city's public works administrator.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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