Palm Coast’s Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates Go Up by Combined $8 a Month Starting Oct. 1

It doesn’t come cheap: one of Palm Coast’s newer aquatic plants. (© FlaglerLive)

It’s not the best timing in the world, but it was planned — if not mandated by law — well before Hurricane Ian made it look like salt in the wound: The Palm Coast government is about to approve rate increases for water, sewage (sewer), and stormwater services October 1, 2022. Collectively, these rate increases will equate to a monthly increase of $8, or almost $100 per year.

The average single family home that uses 4,000 gallons of water per month can expect an increase of about $3.63 for water service and a $3.48 increase for sewer service. The stormwater fee will be increased at a flat rate of $1 per household. The new tariffs for the water and waste water tariffs as well as the rainwater fee come into effect on October 1, 2022 and can be found on the back of the invoice received in October.

The Palm Coast City Council approved in 2018 the phased doubling of the stormwater fee from $11.65 per month for a residential home to $23.95 per month by 2024. The current stormwater fee is $20.59, increasing to $1.59. The council at the time also approved a 21 percent increase in the base rate for water and wastewater customers.

The council, in 2018, upheld its administration’s argument that the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure needed numerous upgrades if it were to survive a storm. The seemingly excellent performance of the stormwater system during Hurricane and Tropical Storm Ian seems to have validated this approach: barely a handful of homes experienced flooding within their walls.

While the city has been hesitant about raising rates, utility companies’ operating costs are rising steadily, the city said in a news release released today. These funds support the ongoing renewal and replacement of aging infrastructure and keep these vital utility systems operating at the high levels of service that Palm Coast residents have come to expect.

The City of Palm Coast has created a website that provides helpful information for residents about utility rate adjustments, including utility assistance programs, water conservation tips, a proposed rate schedule, and more. Residents can view the website here.

Residents may submit questions to our customer service portal at PalmCoast.gov/Connect or call customer service at 386-986-2360.

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