Pinellas County Utilities Proposes Rate Changes

Pinellas County Utilities is proposing changes to its wholesale and retail sewer and water rates, and retail reclaimed water rates. A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. If these rate proposals are approved at that time, the new rates will become effective Oct. 1, 2010.

The rate increases needed in the various systems at this time are due to several factors: increased cost of purchasing water (rate increase by Tampa Bay Water), debt service requirements of outstanding sewer bonds, ongoing costs for renewal and replacement of the systems, and increased operating and maintenance costs such as electricity and chemicals.