Reviewing usage, service dates and separate charges can help Wesley Chapel customers understand their next bill—and why it may differ from the county’s $96.32 example.
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — When your next Pasco County Utilities bill arrives, start with the gallons used—not just the total due.
New rates took effect October 1. The county’s example of $96.32 per month applies to a residential customer using 6,000 gallons with water and sewer service, up from $91.99. Your actual bill depends on consumption, meter size and the services on your account.
For background, read our October 1 report on Pasco’s new utility rates.
Here is how to review your next statement.
- Confirm your provider and services
Check the utility named on your bill before using Pasco County Utilities’ rate schedule. A Wesley Chapel address alone does not establish which rates apply.
Identify whether your account includes water, sewer, reclaimed water or a combination of services.
- Compare consumption and service dates
Place your previous and current bills side by side. Look at the gallons recorded and the number of days covered.
If consumption increased, a higher total may reflect both additional usage and the new rates. Comparing dollars alone cannot separate those effects.
Check the service dates rather than relying only on the bill’s issue date. If the billing period crosses October 1, ask the utility how the change was applied.
- Understand the base and usage charges
Water and sewer each have a base charge and a consumption charge. For residential accounts with a 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch water meter, the published water base charge is $11.52. Water consumption is priced in tiers.
Sewer has a $24.53 base charge, plus $7.54 per 1,000 gallons of metered water.
What a 6,000-gallon bill looks like
Using the published rates, the county’s example breaks down into two parts:
Water: $26.55
That includes the $11.52 base charge, $11.40 for the first 5,000 gallons and $3.63 for the next 1,000 gallons.
Sewer: $69.77
That includes the $24.53 base charge and $45.24 for 6,000 gallons of metered water.
Combined water and sewer: $96.32
This calculation excludes reclaimed water and other separately applicable charges. It is an illustration for the specified meter and consumption level.
- Review irrigation-related charges separately
If your account includes reclaimed water, check those charges independently of drinking water and sewer.
The county lists a $13.26 reclaimed water base charge, including the first 8,000 gallons per month, with additional consumption charges above that allowance. The backflow prevention device fee is $7.22 per month where applicable.
- Investigate an unexpected increase
Do not automatically attribute a much larger bill to the rate change. Review the usage figure, service dates, previous balances and separate charges.
Think about whether anything changed during the billing period, such as irrigation use, visitors or a possible leak. Those are questions to investigate, not conclusions to draw from the total alone.
Pasco’s online customer portal provides access to bills, payment history and consumption charts. Registered users can also contact the utility and submit service requests.
What to have ready when asking for help
Keep your account number, current bill and previous statement available. Identify the specific charge or consumption figure you want explained.
Useful questions include:
How many gallons were recorded during this billing period?
Which rates were applied to the service dates?
Does the total include reclaimed water or other charges?
Is a previous balance included?
Checking those details will help you understand what changed before assuming the entire difference comes from the new rates.
Useful links
Pasco County Utilities — official rates https://www.pascocountyfl.gov/services/utilities/my_account/rates_fees_and_charges.php
Pasco County Utilities — customer portal https://pascoeasypay.pascocountyfl.net/
Related: Our October 1 report https://wesleychapeltoday.com/news/pasco-utility-rates-rise-today-what-wesley-chapel-residents-will-pay-2
