Average water and sewer bill rises $4.33 for Pasco County Utilities customers

New rates took effect October 1, with the actual impact depending on each property's consumption and services.

Wesley Chapel residents served by Pasco County Utilities began the new fiscal year with higher rates for water, wastewater and reclaimed water. The new charges took effect October 1, 2026, and are part of the Fiscal Year 2027 rate schedule, which runs through September 30, 2027.

For a residential water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month, the county estimates the average bill will rise from $91.99 to $96.32. That is an increase of $4.33 per month, or about 4.7%. If consumption remains the same for 12 months, the reference increase would total $51.96 for the year.

The example is not a fixed bill and does not automatically apply to every Wesley Chapel resident. It refers specifically to Pasco County Utilities residential water and sewer customers at that usage level. The actual bill varies based on water consumption, meter size and the services connected to the property.

How the reference bill changed

REFERENCE RESIDENTIAL BILLWater and sewer at 6,000 gallons per monthPREVIOUS BILL$91.99SINCE OCTOBER 1$96.32INCREASE: $4.33 PER MONTH

Official estimate for a residential water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month. Individual bills may vary.

How the water rate is calculated

For residential 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch meters, the FY 2027 monthly water base charge is $11.52. Usage is billed in tiers: $2.28 per 1,000 gallons from 1,000 to 5,000 gallons; $3.63 per 1,000 gallons from 5,001 to 10,000; $7.27 from 10,001 to 15,000; and $9.80 above 15,000 gallons.

The progressive structure makes gallons used in the higher tiers more expensive. A leak, an improperly adjusted irrigation system or a sharp increase in consumption can therefore raise a bill by more than the $4.33 used in the county's average example.

For residential sewer service, the base charge is $24.53, plus $7.54 for each 1,000 gallons of metered water. For a residential 3/4-inch meter, sewer billing is capped at 10,000 gallons per month, with a maximum charge of $99.93. Commercial and multifamily customers do not have that cap.

Reclaimed water also costs more

Residential reclaimed-water customers also received rate adjustments. The monthly base charge increased from $12.66 to $13.26, a difference of $0.60. That charge includes the first 8,000 gallons per month.

RECLAIMED WATER: WHAT CHANGEDMONTHLY BASE CHARGE$12.66→ $13.268,001 TO 13,000 GALLONS$1.27→ $1.33 per 1,000 gallonsBACKFLOW DEVICE FEE$6.89→ $7.22 per monthThe base charge includes the first 8,000 gallons each month.

Residential rates published by Pasco County Utilities for Fiscal Year 2027.

For usage between 8,001 and 13,000 gallons, the additional charge increased from $1.27 to $1.33 per 1,000 gallons. Above 13,000 gallons, the additional charge increased from $2.17 to $2.27 per 1,000 gallons. The monthly backflow prevention device fee rose from $6.89 to $7.22.

Why rates increased

Pasco County says revenue from utility rates, fees and charges supports operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of its water, wastewater and reclaimed-water systems. The current adjustment is part of a four-year rate schedule that took effect October 1, 2025, following approval of a cost-of-service rate study by the Board of County Commissioners.

The schedule calls for annual adjustments through September 30, 2029. The current change is therefore not a one-time fee; it is part of a multiyear rate plan for the county-operated utility system.

What customers should watch

The first step is to compare the new bill with the property's own history, not only with the $96.32 county average. A change close to the rate adjustment may reflect the new pricing, while a much larger increase could point to higher consumption, heavier irrigation, a different meter-reading cycle or a possible leak.

Customers should also review which services appear on the bill. Potable water, sewer, reclaimed water and the backflow device fee are separate charges. Residents served by another utility or a different service arrangement should not treat the Pasco County Utilities rates as their own contractual rate schedule.

Important information

  • Effective date: October 1, 2026.
  • FY 2027 rate period: October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
  • Who is affected: Pasco County Utilities customers.
  • Residential example: 6,000 gallons per month with water and sewer service.
  • Average reference bill: from $91.99 to $96.32.
  • Monthly difference in the example: $4.33.
  • Reclaimed-water base charge: $13.26, including up to 8,000 gallons per month.
  • Full rate information: Pasco County Utilities Rates, Fees and Charges page.
  • Pasco County general customer service: 727-847-2411.

Sources