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 of tiers 0 through 4 is 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 customers using 46 units or more 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.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement