Who should
I call with questions about my water bill?
If you have any questions about your bill, call the Revenue and Finance
Department's
Utility Accounting Division at
(813) 274-8811.
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How do you figure my bill?
The Tampa Water Department measures water use by cubic feet instead of gallons. One
hundred (100) cubic feet of water, which is the same as 748 gallons, is
one unit. You are billed for water by the unit.
Tampa has a
tiered water rate; so the more you use, the more you pay per unit. |
Why are the City's water rates increasing?
In 2007, Tampa City Council approved a
5-year potable (drinking) water rate schedule. Water rates will
increase approximately 12 percent annually through 2011, with the
new rates becoming effective each year on October 1. The 5-year rate
schedule will help ensure Tampa Water Department customers continue to
receive the highest quality services.
Revenue from these rate increases will allow the Tampa Water
Department to accomplish several significant objectives over the next
few years: replace aging pipes; expand the
reclaimed water system in order to offset potable water use; improve
and protect the health of the lower Hillsborough River; and pay for
increased operation and maintenance costs.
It is important to note that these rate increases do not affect the
reclaimed water rate, which remains at $1.20 a unit.
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What is the Tampa Bay Water Pass-Through Charge and
why doesn't it appear on my bill every month?
The Tampa Bay Water Pass-Through Charge was established in order for the city to
recover the additional costs associated with water purchases from Tampa Bay
Water.
Tampa Bay Water is a regional water utility that sells water to local water
providers. The City of Tampa purchases water from Tampa Bay Water during times
when demand is high and our
own resources
can no longer meet customer demand. This surcharge was put into place to recover the difference between what we pay
Tampa Bay Water and what it normally costs us to produce water at our own
facilities.
The surcharge is only passed on to our customers during times when the City of Tampa has had
to buy water from Tampa Bay Water. A per unit cost is calculated from the total cost for all of the purchases
from Tampa Bay Water during the previous 3 month period. The amount
each customer pays is calculated by multiplying their individual usage
times that per unit cost. The surcharge appears a separate line item on the
utility bill and, like the
tier rates for water, the surcharge line item is
subject to tax.
For more information on the surcharge contact a
Utility Accounting Division Customer Service Representative at (813)
274-8811.
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Why does my water bill sometimes vary from month to month?
To save taxpayers money, water meters are read every other month. The
bill for the
month when your meter is not read is an estimate so every other bill
reflects your household's adjusted actual use.
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Some months my water bill seems very high. Why is that?
There are many possible reasons. Household guests or additional residents increase water
consumption. Filling a swimming pool takes a tremendous amount of water. A
hose left running on the lawn can waste hundreds of gallons. So may a
constantly running toilet. Just a leaking faucet can waste 500 gallons of
water per week!
Saving water can help lower your utility bill. Visit the
Water Use Calculator to see how you use water and ways to lower your
consumption.If your water bill increases dramatically and your household
patterns haven't changed, you may have a
leak. For this, or any
other question about your bill, please call the Revenue and
Finance Department's
Utility Accounting Division at
(813) 274-8811.
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Does the Water Department give discounts?
Sorry, no. We are sometimes asked to give discounts for large families or for people who
have new lawns or swimming pools, but our policy is to charge for the
amount of water used. We think that's fair to all our customers.
Please note that we don't charge for the water itself; we only charge for the cost of
purifying the water and delivering it to you.
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Can I get an allowance on my bill for filling my
swimming pool?
Sorry, no. We are sometimes asked to give allowances for people who
refill swimming pools after pool maintenance, but our policy is to charge for the
amount of water used. We think that's fair to all our customers.
Please note that we don't charge for the water itself; we only charge for the cost of
purifying the water and delivering it to you.
However, because your wastewater charges are calculated based upon
your metered water use, you may be eligible for an partial
allowance for the wastewater charges associated with a pool filling.
Contact Revenue and Finance Department's
Utility Accounting Division
at (813) 274-8811 for more information.
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What are connection fees?
Connection fees are one-time charges for property owners who want to become customers
of the
Tampa water system. These fees do not apply to properties that
already are paying for water service.
Those affected
may include new construction or properties being switched from well water
to City water.
Connection fees vary; call the Tampa Water Department Planning Section
at (813) 274-8121 for more information.
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Why doesn’t the City issue warnings any more for first water
use restriction violations?
The
issuance of warnings for first
water use restriction violations
began in May 2006, when the current one-day water use ordinance
went into effect. The discontinuance of warnings and the
establishment of one-day irrigation restrictions are a
continuing response to less than normal levels of rainfall,
increased irrigation demands, decreased flow in the Hillsborough
River and lower than usual reservoir levels during dry periods.
All of those conditions and forecasts for the immediate future
indicate that continuing demand reductions during wet periods to
“bank” water for dry periods remains a prudent course of action
for Tampa residents.
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Does the City’s water use restriction ordinance include
water uses other than irrigation?
Yes. A number of outdoor water use restrictions are included
in the
ordinance, including restrictions related to the use of
open hoses, aesthetic fountains, pressure washing and
watering-in of pesticides and fertilizers. It is suggested that
all water users in Tampa review the ordinance and check this
Web
site periodically for updates to ensure that they avoid a water
use restriction citation.
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I am a Tampa Water Department customer but
live in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. Whose water
restrictions do I follow?
Tampa's
water use restrictions are contained in the
City's Code of Ordinances. Accordingly, the jurisdiction to enforce the
restrictions extends only to the municipal boundaries of the
City.
The result is that water restrictions and enforcement
depends on where you are, not your water provider.
Water use restrictions for Tampa Water Department customers residing in unincorporated Hillsborough County are
established and enforced by
Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. Hillsborough County restrictions
may be viewed at
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water/restrictions/. For more
information about county water use restrictions, please call Hillsborough County Water Resource Services, Water
Restriction Information Line at (813) 275-7094.
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My mailing address is Tampa. Doesn't that
mean I live inside the city limits?
Mailing addresses are not
good indicators of municipal boundaries. Customers unclear on where
their property is located can consult their
property records for their Tax District. To view communities the
Tampa Water Department serve outside the city limits a map is available at
www.tampagov.net/dept_Water/files/COTW_SERVICE_AREA_STR_Reduced_1.pdf.
Locations inside Tampa can use an address specific search
tool at
www.tampagov.net/water to find their watering day.
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What exactly does the City’s water use restriction ordinance
mean where it reads “All wasteful and grossly inefficient water
use shall be restricted?”
Tampa’s water use restriction ordinance defines “wasteful and
unnecessary use” of water to not be limited to but to include
these types of use:
1. Allowing water to be dispersed without any practical purpose
to the water user, regardless of the type of water used;
2. Allowing water to be dispersed in a grossly inefficient
manner, regardless of the time of water use;
3. Allowing water the be dispersed to accomplish a purpose for
which water use is unnecessary or which can be readily
accomplished through alternative methods without water use.
It is suggested that all water users in Tampa review the
ordinance and check this Web site periodically for updates to
ensure that they avoid a
water use restriction citation.
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I just got a water use violation citation for
irrigating new plant materials. I thought that was allowed. Who
do I call?
Tampa’s
water use restriction ordinance sets out specific
guidelines for irrigating new plant materials. Please call the
Water Enforcement Office at (813) 349-5014 with questions about
your citation and information about what to do if the irrigation
you were cited for is allowed within the ordinance.
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Why does the City maintain strict water use restrictions
during periods when it is raining frequently?
The establishment of
one-day irrigation restrictions are a
continuing response to less than normal levels of rainfall,
increased irrigation demands, decreased flow in the Hillsborough
River and lower than usual reservoir levels during dry periods.
All of those conditions and forecasts for the immediate future
indicate that continuing demand reductions during wet periods to
“bank” water for dry periods remains a prudent course of action
for Tampa residents.
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Why do I have to have a working irrigation
system to receive a Sensible Sprinkling Irrigation Evaluation?
The
Sensible Sprinkling Irrigation Evaluation program exists
to help customers make informed decisions about upgrades they
can make to their system to increase their
outdoor water use
efficiency. Suggested upgrades may be in the areas of zoning,
equipment and/or routine maintenance. In order to assess the
efficiency of an existing system, the system must be fully
operational during the evaluation. The evaluator does not
perform system maintenance during the evaluation. Customers
whose systems are not fully operational when the evaluator
arrives will be asked to bring the system to working order and
then reschedule the evaluation.
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What is a backflow device and why do I need one?
A backflow device is a mechanical insert in your plumbing
system on your side of the meter that prevents a reversal of
water flow. Having backflow devices on water connections helps
maintain drinking water quality throughout the system to ensure
that all customers receive the highest quality water possible.
Approved backflow prevention
devices are required to be installed on the service
connection to any premises that the department has
identified as having a potential for backflow.
Additionally, all irrigation systems are required to
have backflow prevention devices, and any property which
is connected both to potable water supplies and
reclaimed water supplies is required to have the potable
water supply protected by an approved backflow
prevention device.
Prevent potential cross connections or backflow resulting
from a garden hose being submerged in a bucket, sink, pond,
swimming pool, car radiator, or a chemical applicator attached
to the hose by installing inexpensive hose bibb vacuum breakers,
commonly available in the plumbing section of home improvement
stores, between outdoor spigots and garden hoses.
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I am making a plumbing repair. Am I allowed
to use the curb stop valve in the water meter box to turn off my
water?
No, The curb stop is City property and Tampa City Code
Section 26-70 prohibits anyone other than an authorized
representative of the City from turning off or turning on water
at the City's curb stop. Any damage to the City valve, water
meter or service as a result of unauthorized use will be billed
to the account holder. Customers can call the
Water Emergency Service Section at (813) 274-7400 to request a
field technician be dispatched to turn off and turn on water at
the curb stop. Fees may apply.
The fastest way to shut your water off is to locate your
shut off valve (not to be confused with the City's curb stop),
typically placed on the side of your home or structure. This
valve is usually located in line with the meter box, low to the
ground, sometimes behind bushes and on property. It is
recommended that every home or structure have its own property
shut off valve. This will help minimize water damage to property
in cases of emergencies where the water is leaking. If your
property does not have one, consider having one installed.
If you are experiencing a
leak at a fixture (such as a sink
or toilet), there are small shut-off valves located underneath
that can be used for a shut down in cases of emergencies or
repair.
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Why isn't reclaimed water available
in my neighborhood?
The initial
reclaimed water service areas were selected based on their
concentration of heavy irrigation and their proximity to the
Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. These
factors were important in ensuring the economic feasibility of
the project.
For continued expansion it was determined that large users
have the highest potential to conserve drinking water and lowest
investment cost to connect due to their higher water demands and proximity
to the current system. In September 2008, the Tampa Water
Department signed an agreement with the
Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA), the City's
first official larger reclaimed water user. The reclaimed water
main will be extended to
Tampa International Airport and the HCAA is scheduled to
begin taking reclaimed water from the City in early 2010,
initially for irrigation and then for their cooling towers. The
City is installing a reclaimed water main larger than the size
needed to meet the HCAA’s demands to allow the City to
potentially expand the reclaimed water system around the airport
and toward Rocky Point.
In addition to continuing negotiations with
other large users, expansion plans are underway in other parts
of Tampa as well. The reclaimed water system will be extended to
provide irrigation when the
Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park opens in 2009; and plans
continue to move forward to expand reclaimed water further down
Bayshore Boulevard and the surrounding area.
Additional expansion driven by larger users
will allow
reclaimed water service to expand to the residential users
surrounding the new mains. If you are interested in becoming a
reclaimed water customer, contact (813) 282-7827 for
more information.
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Are there any water use
restrictions which limit when I can wash my car at my home?
Tampa's water use
restrictions ordinance
2006-104 permits the washing of automobiles, trucks,
trailers, railroad cars, mobile homes, campers, boats, or any
other type of mobile vehicles or equipment, provided a hand held
device with an automatic shut-off valve or nozzle is used or a
business enterprise established for such purpose is used. We are
required to enforce
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
restrictions when more stringent than ours.
Current Phase II
shortage restrictions enacted by the SWFWMD limits personal car
washing at a residential property to:
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Low-volume
methods only, such as a hand held hose with auto shut-off
valve (nozzle)
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Once a week only
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Even addresses on
Tuesdays or Saturdays only
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Odd addresses on
Wednesdays or Sundays only
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