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Think your City of Tampa Utility bill is too high?

Understanding the major components of your bill* (see an example bill):

Water

Water is billed in units called CCFs (hundred cubic feet). Each CCF is equal to 748 gallons of water.

As the volume of water used increases, the rate per unit increases at set intervals, called tiers. The tiered rate system was adopted to encourage efficient water use. Billing rates and tiers are specific to user classification.

 In October 2012, Tampa completed the transition to monthly meter reading for all customers.

Wastewater (Sewer)

At locations with Tampa water and wastewater service, sewer charges are based on metered flow through the water meter.

  • If you have a separate lawn or reclaimed meter, only the water flowing through your primary water meter is used to determine sewer charges.

  • If you do not have a separate lawn meter, a fixed maximum sewer charge, called a Sewer Max or Lawn Credit, is calculated for each account to allow for water used for lawn care and other outdoor uses that do not return to the sewer system. The Sewer Max is equal to the third lowest amount of monthly water used in a 24-month period and is recalculated annually.

 Solid Waste (TRASH)

Monthly trash charges are dependent on volume and the type of service provided for the location.

Flat monthly residential and business services rates are provided for routine trash removal service. Additional charges are assessed for special pick-ups, large volume removal and other special solid waste services.

Weekly curbside recycling is included in the flat monthly residential trash rate.

*Other charges such as reclaimed water, Tampa Bay Water Pass-Through Charge, service or administrative fees, deposits, special charges, and taxes may also appear on your bill. Please contact the Utilities Call Center, the agents for Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste, with any questions about charges you do not understand.

 

The most variable part of your bill is likely the water charges.

Tampa's average single-family residential account uses about 8 CCF per month (or about 6,000 gallons of water). You may use more or less based on the number of people living in your home and special water uses such as pools, seasonal lawn irrigation and household maintenance. Review your water use history (located on the left side of your bill) to determine if your current water use is uncharacteristic. The  7-day Drinking Water Knowledge Challenge can help you determine your unique water use patterns.

Surprised by abnormally high water use? Check the reading on your meter against the reading on your bill. The reading on the meter should be greater than the one on your bill.

  • If your current meter reading is LOWER than your bill, contact the Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811, option #3, to request a re-read of your meter.

  • If your current meter reading is HIGHER than your bill, your bill is correct and you may want to check for leaks. Common household leaks include toilets, faucets, and irrigation systems. You may be able to use your water meter to help you identify potential leaks.

If you do identify a leak and repair it, you may be eligible for adjustments on your bill. If you are unable to pay a high bill due to a leak, you should contact Credit and Collections at (813) 274-8780 as soon as possible after receiving your bill to make temporary payment arrangements in order to avoid interruption of your service.

Looking for ways to reduce your overall water use? The Tampa Water Department has online tools and information available to customers to help them reduce their use. Additionally, water saving devices and kits may be available to qualified customers upon request.

A sampling of online tools:

Schedule of Rates

Explanation of the Lawn Credit/Sewer Max Program (PDF, 133 KB)
How to Read Your Meter/Fix Leaks (PDF, 841 KB)
Saving Water Indoors and Outdoors (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Florida-friendly Landscaping
Micro-Irrigation
Water Use Restrictions
Reclaimed Water
Water Quality Report

Rain Barrel Workshops

Leak Adjustments

The following information is provided to assist City of Tampa utility customers who have repaired water leaks on private property in requesting billing adjustments that may be available.

To process a leak adjustment request the following documentation is required:

1. A copy of your plumber's repair bill or a letter detailing what was repaired, the date of repair, and any receipts for materials that you may have used for the repair
2. A completed Water/Wastewater Leak Adjustment Request Form (PDF)

Please ensure all correspondence includes the service address, utility account number and a daytime telephone number.

This documentation can be faxed or mailed to:

City of Tampa Water Department
Attn: Billing Section
2603 N. Rome Avenue
Tampa, FL 33607
Fax: (813) 274-8358

Important Note: The above address is not accessible to the public. Documentation can not be hand-delivered.

The City of Tampa's water rates are calculated using a multi-tier rate structure. When determining a water charge adjustment, the account average annual water consumption is computed and the water use above the average is recalculated at the lowest tier rate. For more information on the rate structure, please visit our web site at www.tampagov.net/waterrates.

It may take several months to process an adjustment request. Additionally, if your utility account does not have at least a one year of water consumption history it may not be possible to review your account for an adjustment until a usage history is established.

If you are unable to pay your monthly bill in full while a leak adjustment request is under review, please contact the Credit and Collections Section at (813) 274-8811, option #2, to make payment arrangements to avoid interruption of service.

Please contact the Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811 if you have any questions regarding the adjustment policy or the status of a submitted adjustment request.
 

Reviewed for content 05/06/2013