Tampa Bay Water Pass-Through Charge

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.