St. Pete Utility Rates Rise Oct. 1

St. Petersburg residents will see higher monthly utility bills starting Oct. 1, as new rates and charges for sanitation, potable water, wastewater, stormwater, and reclaimed water services take effect.

An average single-family home using 3,500 gallons of water and wastewater will experience an increase. Sanitation fees rose by $2.20, potable water by $2.61, and wastewater by $4.38. Stormwater charges increased from $0.99 to $4.63 across all four tiers. Reclaimed water rates went up by $4.12.

The city states these adjustments are necessary to improve the reliability of its utility services and fund operations, maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades. Much of St. Petersburg's aging infrastructure exceeds its original design lifespan.

The city offers assistance programs for residents. To set up a payment plan, call 727-893-7341, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can find a directory of local assistance programs by calling 211 or visiting 211tampabay.org. The Utility Assistance Program allows automatic donations through utility bills, including a "Utility Bill Round Up" option.