florida water rate survey
2012
FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
976 Lake Baldwin Lane Suite 204 Orlando, FL 32814
Phone 407 . 730 . 5944 Fax 407 . 730 . 5941
www.raftelis.com
The 2012 Florida Water Rate Survey represents the initial rate survey conducted by Raftelis Financial Consultants (RFC) in Florida. RFC has conducted a national Water and Wastewater Rate Survey since 1996, and has done so in conjunction with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) since 2004. The 2012 Water Rate Survey is intended to provide keen insight to water pricing practices currently utilized by publicly-owned utilities in Florida. While many utilities provide wastewater and reclaimed water services, the goal of this initial survey is focused on typical potable water bills and rate structures for over 170 Florida public utilities. The respondents include small utilities serving a population less than 10,000 to the largest utilities in Florida with service populations of 500,000 or more. The survey addresses a cumulative service population of over 13.8 million people throughout Florida. The survey results are sorted alphabetically by county and thereafter listed by the city or utility name. The rates shown are exclusive of utility taxes or outside-city rates for those jurisdictions that have such charges. Following this introduction is a discussion on why water rates differ together with a narrative summarizing the survey results. Also included are statistics such as the number of usage rate blocks, gallons included in the first usage block, revenue recovery from fixed charges, minimum water bill levels, etc. The survey table includes population information, water management district along with residential monthly minimum water bill amount, and bill amounts for usage at 4,000 and 8,000 gallons. Water capacity (impact) fee charge information is also included in the survey table. We would like to thank all the participants in the Florida Rate Survey and extend a special thanks to Ken Small at the Florida League of Cities for his support on distributing the survey questionnaire. This survey was completed with the valuable assistance of Rocky Craley, Joe Williams, and Robin Chacko of Raftelis Financial Consultants. We hope that you will find these results informative and look forward to completing additional utility rate surveys in 2013. Your suggestions or comments are welcomed regarding the Florida Water Rate Survey or any future survey. Sincerely, RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
CONTENTS Factors Affecting Rates
01
Mike Rocca, CMC
Tony Hairston
Overview of the Survey
04
Director of Florida Operations
Manager
Additional Results
08
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
{ 01 }
FACTO R S A F F E CTING RATES This Florida Rate Survey is focused on publicly-owned utilities. Often utility infrastructure is the most valuable asset in many communities. The rates established by INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT operations, maintenance, and renewal of the utility In prior decades throughout infrastructure investment. There are many factors that Florida, utility capital fundhave an effect on the level of utility rates; however, based ing was primarily focused on meeting the demands of on our experience, the following summarizes the more growth. Much of the cost salient factors affecting potable water rates. of providing infrastructure for growth could be mitigated by a combination of impact fees, developer contributions, and careful expansion planning. With the aging of infrastrucSOURCE OF SUPPLY ture, increases in regulatory requirements and the The source of most potable water in Florida is from unslowing of growth, communities are increasingly derground aquifer systems. However, the quality of water concerned with both the upgrade and replacement and level of treatment necessary to meet regulatory and of infrastructure. The burden of upgrading and public acceptance varies greatly throughout the state due replacing infrastructure is typically born by existing to the various sources. For example, communities located customers through utility rate revenues. Moreover, inland often require lower levels of treatment compared these capital costs are higher than the original cost to those along the coast with more brackish water. Even due to inflation and the difficulty of replacing existwith a high water quality nearby, communities may have ing piping compared to the original installation cost regulatory limits to the amount of high quality water that on undeveloped land. While these challenges are may be withdrawn through their consumption use pergrowing, there is increasing pressure to maintain mits. Many communities are required to identify and plan rates and avoid rate adjustments. Infrastructure for alternative water supplies, with these alternatives being replacement can often be delayed from one year to much more expensive to treat than existing sources of the next as budget pressures grow; however, such supply. Finally, depending on the location of the source of postponements generally create the need for larger supply, an expensive transmission system may be required rate increases in the future. to deliver potable water to the customer service area.
each community for utility service are essential in
{ 02 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
ACQUISITIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS A significant number of Florida utilities were initially constructed to minimum standards by the primary land developer in order to support land sale activities. Many of these utilities were subsequently acquired by local governments at a prices that included contributions made by existing customers. The inclusion of these customer contributions in the acquisition price was determined to be appropriate by a Florida Supreme Court ruling. These acquisitions together with costs incurred for upgrading the utility to municipal standards is another factor contributing to rate levels. CONNECTION DENSITY A common factor affecting both the capital and operating costs of utilities is the number of connections within their service area. Utilities such as compact cities with high densities enjoy certain economies due to factors such as shorter piping systems and less travel time for servicing the system and customers. This connection density factor should be considered when comparing rates especially involving a combination of county and city systems. REGULATORY STRINGENCY Water utilities must provide drinking water that is safe for its customers and meet reporting and testing requirements. Regulatory requirements such as the EPA Disinfection By-Products Rule (DBPR) affect various communities differently based on the source of its water supply, age of the distribution system, and other factors. Meeting DBPR and other regulatory requirements can require both capital and operating investments that lead to higher user rates. DECREASING PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION Many utilities are facing declining per capita potable water consumption due to multiple factors. With most utility costs fixed, communities need to increase rates to compensate for the loss in revenue from reduced usage. This issue is especially valid for those utilities that have been heavily reliant on inverted (conservation) rates as a cost recovery source. There are several reasons for decreasing per capita consumption including more water efficient appliances and irrigation systems installed during renovations or through utility incentive programs. Another recent cause for declining usage is the housing market and a large number of unoccupied homes and businesses, which is likely temporary in many communities, but has persisted longer than expected. Further contributing to declining consumption is increased awareness due to conservation outreach efforts. Utility customers are responding to ongoing conservation messages.
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
WATER RESTRICTIONS Water shortages and watering restrictions throughout Florida have been declared at various levels by the water management districts over the past several years. Water restrictions include limitations on days and hours of irrigation use, and announced water shortages are accompanied by pleas to reduce consumption by set percentage amounts. Since most utility costs are fixed and by definition remain constant regardless of certain deviations in demand, the effect of lower water sales due to water shortages tend to require higher rates to support those fixed costs. EFFICIENCIES Potable water rates are also dependent on the extent a community has been able to use technology and effective management to achieve a high level of service at the lowest possible cost. Most communities are reporting the ability to accomplish more while relying on fewer resources. For example, many utilities have implemented automated meter reading (AMR) systems to reduce operating costs and increase meter reading accuracy. Implementation of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technology can increase system monitoring capabilities while lowering operating costs. Other efficiencies that can affect rates include minimizing unbilled water and exploring wholesale arrangements to sell excess capacity. BUDGET POLICIES The full accounting of indirect costs within potable water utilities can vary tremendously among various communities. For city and county utilities, there are many supporting departments that may or may not be recognized in the budget process. Even when recognized, the cost of such support services may not be accurate. In one community such costs may be understated while in others they may be overstated due to budget pressures. In addition, many communities include a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), payment in lieu of franchise fees (PILOFF), or simply a transfer to the general fund. The amounts and methodology of such transfers vary considerably, and have a direct effect on utility rates. POLITICAL ACTION The local political climate will have an effect on utility rates. Policymakers generally desire to have rates at a minimum level, or at least avoid rate increases while maintaining quality service. For example, if a community values redundancy in its service or extra protection for its water supply, then it may be willing to have slightly higher rates, if necessary. Often this must be accomplished by carefully planning occasional modest rate adjustments. Many communities in the survey indicated that rates are indexed annually to an inflation index or by an established inflation percentage. However, there is often very strong resistance to rate increases until utility assets begin failing or regulatory mandates dictate the implementation of costly upgrades. Localized political pressures will affect rates either directly or indirectly.
{ 03 }
{ 04 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
OV E RV I E W O F T H E SURVEY
The survey provides
A benchmark of 4,000 gallons per month is used as a represen-
data on 177 water
tation of indoor usage levels. This amount equates to average
service providers throughout Florida.
demand of 131 gallons per day. A secondary benchmark of 8,000 gallons, or 263 gallons per day, has also been used in order to provide additional information for higher levels of service. Most utilities measure metered water use in terms of gallon increments. Approximately 5% of surveyed utilities report metered water use in terms of hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) rather than thousands of gallons. For these utilities the usage rate data was calculated based on 5.35 CCF and 10.70 CCF of monthly usage which corresponds to 4,000 gallons and 8,000 gallons per month based on 748 gallons per hundred cubic feet. The distribution of monthly bills at 4,000 gallons from lowest to highest, along with the corresponding bill at 8,000 gallons of usage is shown in the Monthly Charge Comparison graph on the following page.
{ 05 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
MONTHLY CHARGE COMPARISON As shown in this table, there is a wide distribution of residential water bills at the 4,000 gallons usage level. The average of all utilities surveyed is $20.55 per month. As noted above, there are numerous reasons why utility rates are different among service providers. The monthly bill for each utility at 8,000 gallons is shown directly above the same utility bill at 4,000 gallons, and the distribution of bills at 8,000 gallons does not
MONTHLY CHARGE (in dollars)
necessarily correspond to the 4,000 gallon distribution. The average monthly bill at 8,000 gallons is $32.24. $ 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Average bill at 8,000 gallons = $32.24
Average bill at 4,000 gallons = $20.55 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
UTILITIES 4,000 gallons
8,000 gallons
4,000 gallon avg.
40%
8,000 gallon avg.
SURVEYED UTILITIES BY POPULATION SIZE
70 36%
30%
32%
63
60
57 50
25%
40
20% 15%
16%
16%
28
29
30 20
10%
10
5%
0
0% O - 10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001 - 100,000
POPULATION SIZE
100,001 & above
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
35%
The survey includes a distribution of utilities of various size and location. This table shows the distribution of surveyed utilities by population size.
{ 06 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
SRWMD
RESPONDENTS BY WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
4 utilities 2%
The consumption use permits for potable water use are governed by the five water management districts throughout
NWFWMD
Florida. The survey respondents by water management district are as follows:
SJRWMD
20 utilities 12%
55 utilities 31%
SFWMD
Northwest Florida Water Management District NFWMD, 20 utilities
Alligator Point Water Resources District, Bay County, City of Callaway, City of Chipley, City of Crestview, City of DeFuniak Springs, Destin Water Users, City of Fort Walton Beach, City of Marianna, City of Mary Ester, City of Monticello, City of Panama City, City of Parker, City of Sopchoppy, City of St. Marks, City of Tallahassee, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Liberty County, Okaloosa County, and South Walton Utility Company.
50 utilities 28%
SWFWMD 48 utilities 27%
South Florida Water Management District SFWMD, 50 utilities
Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc., Broward County, City of Boca Raton, City of Boynton Beach, City of Cape Coral, City of Clewiston, City of Cooper City, City of Coral Springs, City of Delray Beach, City of Ft Lauderdale, City of Hallandale Beach, City of Hollywood, City of Homestead, City of Labelle, City of Lake Worth, City of Lantana, City of Marco Island, City of Margate, City of Naples, City of North Bay Village, City of Ocoee, City of Pembroke Pines, City of Plantation, City of Pompano Beach, City of Port St. Lucie, City of Riviera Beach, City of St. Cloud, City of Stuart, City of Sunrise, City of West Palm Beach, City of Wilton Manors, Collier County, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Glades Utility Authority, Martin County, Miami Dade County, Okeechobee Utility Authority, Orange County, Palm Beach County, Reedy Creek Improvement District, St Lucie West Services District, Toho Water Authority, Town of Davie, Town of Fort Myers Beach, Town of Highland Beach, Town of Hillsboro Beach, Town of Jupiter, Town of Medley, Village of Golf, and Village of Tequesta.
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
Southwest Florida Water Management District SWFWMD, 48 utilities
Charlotte County, City of Auburndale, City of Bartow, City of Bowling Green, City of Bradenton, City of Brooksville, City of Clearwater, City of Crystal River, City of Davenport, City of Dunedin, City of Eagle Lake, City of Fort Meade, City of Frostproof, City of Inglis, City of Lake Alfred, City of Lake Wales, City of Lakeland, City of New Port Richey, City of Ocala, City of Oldsmar, City of Palmetto, City of Pinellas Park, City of Plant City, City of Punta Gorda, City of Sarasota, City of Sebring, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, City of Tarpon Springs, City of Temple Terrace, City of Venice, City of Wauchula, City of Wildwood, City of Williston, City of Zephyrhills, Englewood Water District, Fort Myers Utilities, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Hudson Water Works Inc, Lee County, Manatee County, Pinellas County, Town of Bronson, Town of Lake Hamilton, Town of Lake Placid, Town of Longboat Key, and Town of Zolfo Springs. St. Johns River Water Management District SJRWMD, 55 utilities
Brevard County, City of Apopka, City of Atlantic Beach, City of Barefoot Bay, City of Belleview, City of Bunnell, City of Casselberry, City of Clermont, City of Cocoa, City of Daytona Beach, City of DeLand, City of Eatonville, City of Edgewater, City of Eustis, City of Fernandina Beach, City of Fruitland Park, City of Green Cove Springs, City of Jacksonville Beach, City of Leesburg, City of Longwood, City of Maitland, City of Mascotte, City of Melbourne, City of Mount Dora, City of Orange City, City of Ormond Beach, City of Oviedo, City of Palatka, City of Palm Coast, City of Port Orange, City of Sanford, City of South Daytona, City of Tavares, City of Titusville, City of Umatilla, City of Vero Beach, City of West Melbourne, City of Winter Park, City of Winter Springs, Flagler County, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Indian River County, JEA, Lake Harney Water Association, Marion County, Orlando Utilities Commission, Seminole County, St. Johns County - Main System, St. Johns County - Ponte Vedra System, Town of Hastings, Town of Orange Park, Town of Penney Farms, Town of Ponce Inlet, Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach, and Volusia County. Suwanee River Water Management District SRWMD, 4 utilities
City of Alachua, City of Chiefland, City of Lake City, and City of Madison.
{ 07 }
{ 08 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
ADDITIO NAL RES U LTS
A table of the detailed survey results is provided at the end of this section. All utilities surveyed have a combination of a fixed monthly charge and a separate variable charge based on the amount of metered water use as their primary revenue generation mechanism. Most water management district consumption use permits require utilities to have a conservation rate structure (multiple variable rate blocks that are “inverted” or increase at higher usage amounts) to reduce water consumption. The survey identified that approximately 10% of utilities surveyed still lack a conservation rate structure. Certain other characteristics of surveyed utilities include the following.
FIXED PORTION OF WATER BILL AT 4,000 GALLONS Fixed cost recovery is an important indicator of financial strength, especially considering trends in declining water use. The following provides the percentage of fixed revenue as a percentage of the total bill at 4,000 gallons. It is important to note that the greater amount of revenue recovered from the fixed monthly charge, the greater the revenue stability but also the greater the burden on the low end users. The survey results show that at 4,000 gallons of residential consumption, most utilities fixed component is between 51% and 75% of the total charge.
110
57%
100
101
50%
90 80
40%
70 60
30% 20%
25%
50
44
40
0%
30
12%
10%
21 2% / 3 0% - 25%
20 4% 8
26% - 50%
51% - 75%
76% - 99%
100%
PERCENTAGE OF 4,000 GALLON BILL FROM FIXED CHARGE
10 0
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
60%
{ 09 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
FIRST BLOCK THRESHOLD The survey shows a significant variance among utilities with respect to the amount of usage (either gallons or cubic feet) included in the lowest consumption block. Most utilities reported 3,000 gallons (4.0 CCF) to 5,000 gallons in the first consumption block. It should be noted that there are 38 utilities with usage in the minimum charge, such usage amount is considered as the first rate block for survey purposes. The distribution of first block thresholds is provided in the graph below.
45
23%
40
41
25%
35
18% 20%
32
15%
14% 15% 10% 10%
27
24 7%
15
17
13 5%
10
3%
5
5
0% Uniform
25 20
10%
18
30
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
30%
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
over 6,000
GALLONS IN LOWEST USAGE RATE BLOCK
NUMBER OF USAGE RATE BLOCKS Usage rate blocks ranged from one to six with four being the most frequent number of rate blocks as illustrated in the graph below.
60
30%
30%
54
25%
50 22%
40
39
20%
30 15% 10%
10%
11%
18
19
13%
14%
23
24
20 10
5% 0%
0 Uniform
2 Blocks
3 Blocks
4 Blocks
NUMBER OF USAGE BLOCKS
5 Blocks
6 Blocks
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
35%
{ 10 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
MONTHLY MINIMUM WATER BILL The median of surveyed minimum water bills (i.e. lowest possible residential bill) for all surveyed utilities is $11.33. The distribution of the minimum water bills is as follows.
DETAILED SURVEY RESULTS BY COUNTY In the following pages, we have included the results the detailed results of the survey sorted alphabetically by County. This information includes utility name, the utility’s water management district jurisdiction, estimated population served,
$15.01 +
effective date of existing rates, unit of
39 utilities 22%
$10 or less 74 utilities 42%
64 utilities 36%
monthly residential bills at 4,000 and 8,000 * NR stands for Not Reported.
NUMBER OF UTILITIES WITH ANNUAL RATE INDEX Many utilities report that rates are adjusted periodically by a rate index in order to compensate for the effects of inflation on expenses. Of the utilities that indicated an indexing status, 43% utilize an annual index (19 utilities did not indicate whether or not they utilize an index).
90 utilities 57%
charge expressed on a monthly basis, gallons, and water capacity (impact) fees.
$10.01 - $15.00
No Index
measurement (gallons or CCF), minimum
Annual Index 68 utilities 43%
NR - Not Reported
Charlotte County
Broward County
Brevard County
Bay County
Alachua County
County:
SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD
City of Plantation
City of Pompano Beach
City of Sunrise
City of Wilton Manors
Town of Davie
Town of Hillsboro Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Pembroke Pines
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Margate
Englewood Water District
SFWMD
City of Hollywood
City of Punta Gorda
SFWMD
City of Hallandale Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Ft Lauderdale
Charlotte County
SFWMD
City of Coral Springs
SJRWMD
City of West Melbourne SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Titusville
City of Cooper City
SJRWMD
City of Melbourne
SFWMD
SJRWMD
Broward County
SJRWMD
City of Cocoa
NWFWMD
City of Parker
City of Barefoot Bay
NWFWMD
City of Panama City SJRWMD
NWFWMD
City of Callaway
Brevard County
NWFWMD
SJRWMD
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Bay County
SRWMD
WMD:
City of Alachua
Utility Name:
Florida Water Rate Survey 2012
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
17,300
36,305
142,411
2,500
35,000
12,000
220,000
79,917
85,056
150,000
58,233
140,000
40,000
250,000
12,000
29,000
293,000
18,900
53,000
150,000
280,000
10,000
8,000
4,317
36,484
14,405
6,100
69,438
9,900
Est Service Population: Units
1/7/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
4/1/2012 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
NR GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2008 GAL
10/1/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2010 GAL
Effective Date
$15.62
$7.03
$21.77
$24.00
$18.97
$28.96
$15.20
$12.88
$11.06
$12.31
$11.26
$5.39
$21.00
$5.28
$32.00
$11.24
$14.68
$14.08
$8.39
$6.89
$12.03
$11.33
$12.32
$8.03
$6.40
$10.85
$8.40
$8.65
$7.90
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
$23.34
$20.23
$40.45
$30.80
$31.49
$43.12
$27.12
$21.84
$17.34
$17.10
$24.74
$17.58
$25.26
$13.70
$38.04
$22.36
$21.18
$34.73
$19.27
$23.85
$22.03
$22.49
$16.18
$23.23
$16.92
$25.34
$15.93
$16.85
$14.26
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$32.34
$33.43
$61.23
$44.40
$48.63
$57.28
$39.04
$30.80
$26.76
$36.26
$39.90
$41.21
$30.65
$28.06
$46.68
$34.77
$36.22
$56.43
$34.26
$40.81
$36.61
$33.65
$31.62
$38.43
$27.44
$39.86
$23.71
$26.65
$22.54
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 1 of 6
$3,273.96
$2,824.00
$1,780.00
NR
$3,050.00
NR
$1,500.00
NR
$1,585.00
$2,306.35
NR
$1,130.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,316.00
$1,440.00
$3,804.00
$250.00
$1,116.00
$1,750.00
$335.00
$2,053.00
$500.00
$465.00
NR
$551.67
$1,000.00
$1,950.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 11 }
NR - Not Reported
Indian River County
Hillsborough County
Highlands County
Hernando County
SWFWMD SWFWMD
City of Temple Terrace
Hillsborough County
SJRWMD
SWFWMD
City of Tampa
City of Vero Beach
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Plant City
SWFWMD
Town of Lake Placid
SWFWMD
Hernando County
City of Sebring
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Labelle
City of Brooksville
SFWMD
SWFWMD
Town of Zolfo Springs
City of Clewiston
SWFWMD
City of Wauchula
Hendry County
SWFWMD
City of Bowling Green
Hardee County
NWFWMD
SJRWMD
Flagler County
Alligator Point Water Resources District
SJRWMD
City of Palm Coast
Franklin County
SJRWMD
City of Bunnell
NWFWMD
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
SJRWMD
JEA
Flagler County
SJRWMD
City of Jacksonville Beach
Escambia County
SJRWMD
City of Atlantic Beach
Duval County
SRWMD
SFWMD
Collier County
City of Lake City
SFWMD
Columbia
SFWMD
City of Naples
SJRWMD
Town of Penney Farms
City of Marco Island
SJRWMD
Town of Orange Park
Collier County
SJRWMD
City of Green Cove Springs
Clay County
SWFWMD
WMD:
City of Crystal River
Utility Name:
Citrus County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
34,000
479,525
31,000
560,000
34,721
2,593
16,023
162,000
8,150
4,893
10,000
1,827
6,500
2,900
1,800
110
75,180
2,800
90,000
864,263
21,000
23,000
20,000
200,000
62,000
27,912
741
8,500
3,000
3,110
Est Service Population: Units
10/1/2009 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
10/2/2011 CCF
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2007 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
12/19/2005 GAL
4/15/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/11/2011 GAL
6/21/2003 GAL
10/1/2005 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
3/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
NR GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
Effective Date
$13.60
$12.03
$5.76
$1.50
$6.82
$13.80
$8.14
$5.40
$20.03
$20.30
$6.00
$10.15
$9.69
$11.24
$15.00
$28.88
$13.94
$15.89
$10.05
$12.60
$8.93
$8.97
$14.54
$17.63
$8.07
$30.83
$20.00
$13.76
$8.00
$6.92
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
3,000
4,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
1,000
0
$16.92
$26.39
$12.88
$11.30
$13.26
$29.88
$17.34
$9.48
$22.25
$30.82
$21.64
$16.53
$11.10
$11.24
$23.00
$55.04
$29.06
$37.17
$18.25
$17.80
$19.05
$14.47
$22.02
$27.31
$13.31
$46.23
$21.50
$20.64
$12.53
$17.76
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$26.09
$44.32
$20.00
$24.30
$21.20
$46.32
$26.54
$14.10
$31.13
$41.34
$37.28
$29.30
$19.43
$17.64
$32.50
$81.20
$45.29
$58.45
$26.45
$25.70
$32.29
$24.23
$32.32
$40.65
$18.55
$61.63
$27.50
$29.24
$18.57
$29.14
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 2 of 6
$1,499.00
NR
$3,250.00
$2,089.00
$790.00
$750.00
$690.00
$1,147.00
$672.00
$2,760.00
$1,133.00
NR
NR
$1,699.50
NR
$2,780.00
$7,232.73
$2,112.00
$1,395.00
$1,256.50
$325.00
NR
NR
$3,205.00
NR
NR
$650.00
$650.00
$1,000.00
NR
Capacity Fee:
{ 12 }
SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD
City of Clermont
City of Eustis
City of Fruitland Park
City of Leesburg
City of Mascotte
City of Mount Dora
City of Tavares
City of Umatilla
Lake County
SWFWMD SWFWMD SWFWMD
City of Palmetto
Manatee County
Town of Longboat Key
NR - Not Reported
Marion County
SWFWMD
City of Bradenton
Manatee County
SJRWMD SWFWMD SJRWMD
City of Belleview
City of Ocala
Marion County
SRWMD
NWFWMD
City of Madison
SWFWMD
Town of Bronson
Liberty County
SWFWMD
City of Williston
Madison County
SWFWMD
Liberty County
SRWMD
City of Inglis
SFWMD
Town of Fort Myers Beach
City of Chiefland
SWFWMD
Lee County
Levy County
SWFWMD
Fort Myers Utilities
NWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Cape Coral
City of Tallahassee
SFWMD
Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc.
NWFWMD
Leon County
Lee County
SJRWMD
City of Monticello
Jefferson County
NWFWMD
City of Marianna
SJRWMD
Indian River County
WMD:
Jackson County
Utility Name:
Indian River County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
70,000
50,924
5,000
8,000
271,000
12,606
49,546
7,350
970
1,100
2,900
1,400
1,150
248,000
6,600
322,000
62,289
150,000
50,000
3,500
24,976
30,400
4,000
25,000
4,025
34,444
33,000
3,000
10,000
100,000
Est Service Population: Units
1/4/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 CCF
10/1/2008 GAL
3/1/2012 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2006 GAL
9/25/2005 GAL
7/12/2004 GAL
10/20/2005 GAL
11/12/2008 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
11/9/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2010 GAL
4/15/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
4/1/2012 HCF
7/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
2/1/2012 GAL
5/14/2002 GAL
6/10/2010 CCF
11/7/2010 GAL
10/1/1999 GAL
Effective Date
$13.17
$9.20
$9.41
$14.07
$7.73
$6.20
$13.17
$5.55
$12.50
$8.00
$6.00
$27.00
$8.18
$9.59
$12.31
$11.35
$8.74
$16.93
$12.17
$7.70
$14.65
$5.59
$28.05
$8.04
$15.36
$8.87
$5.48
$5.00
$9.00
$9.05
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
5,000
0
3,000
0
2,500
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
$18.13
$13.05
$17.73
$22.83
$15.17
$22.08
$22.69
$11.35
$14.35
$8.00
$10.00
$36.00
$18.46
$11.74
$32.55
$23.15
$25.86
$32.17
$26.81
$14.74
$19.56
$9.49
$38.05
$11.64
$16.51
$18.11
$9.88
$11.42
$17.00
$18.07
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$23.93
$16.90
$26.47
$34.38
$23.55
$39.28
$35.93
$17.15
$21.05
$20.00
$14.60
$72.00
$29.04
$17.97
$54.79
$36.43
$52.67
$49.33
$43.01
$23.34
$27.00
$13.47
$56.05
$16.28
$22.43
$27.35
$14.28
$17.83
$25.00
$29.18
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 3 of 6
$1,887.00
NR
$877.80
NR
$1,970.00
NR
$824.00
NR
NR
NR
$846.00
NR
NR
$630.00
$1,254.60
$2,440.00
NR
NR
$2,600.00
$2,174.51
NR
NR
$1,816.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,935.00
$982.00
$700.00
$1,300.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 13 }
NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD
City of Crestview
City of Fort Walton Beach
City of Mary Ester
Destin Water Users
Okaloosa County
SFWMD SJRWMD SFWMD
Orange County
Orlando Utilities Commission
Reedy Creek Improvement District
NR - Not Reported
Palm Beach County
SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD
City of Boca Raton
City of Boynton Beach
City of Delray Beach
City of Lake Worth
City of Lantana
City of Riviera Beach
SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Winter Park
Toho Water Authority
SFWMD
City of Ocoee
SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Maitland
City of St. Cloud
SJRWMD
City of Eatonville
Osceola County
SJRWMD
City of Apopka
Orange County
SFWMD
Okeechobee Utility Authority
Okeechobee County
SJRWMD
City of Fernandina Beach
Okaloosa County
SFWMD
Town of Medley
Nassau County
SFWMD
Miami Dade County SFWMD
SFWMD
City of North Bay Village
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
SFWMD
SFWMD
City of Homestead
SFWMD
Martin County
WMD:
City of Stuart
Utility Name:
Monroe County
Miami Dade County
Martin County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
30,000
10,000
48,000
65,000
102,512
84,392
73,000
22,000
150,000
416,816
520,135
28,074
36,712
16,479
3,000
57,243
5,621
36,000
12,641
3,844
20,000
23,000
24,000
73,269
60,000
2,250,000
7,137
60,512
87,853
17,000
Est Service Population: Units
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
12/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
4/1/2012 GAL
3/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
2/1/2012 GAL
9/25/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
12/13/1993 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
5/1/2012 GAL
10/20/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
10/1/2011 GAL
4/9/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
Effective Date
$12.47
$19.40
$17.25
$15.72
$10.76
$12.62
$4.51
$11.90
$27.83
$7.50
$6.33
$8.62
$9.77
$7.51
$7.65
$7.15
$18.94
$8.88
$8.74
$11.00
$8.06
$9.00
$10.31
$13.27
$11.26
$3.20
$16.51
$7.01
$15.73
$11.71
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
0
0
5,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
$22.71
$24.20
$28.37
$16.97
$16.52
$15.58
$8.23
$16.29
$32.66
$10.48
$10.84
$12.30
$14.05
$10.81
$40.72
$12.47
$37.40
$18.59
$16.26
$21.55
$12.88
$12.70
$16.28
$35.55
$11.26
$5.84
$20.49
$10.52
$23.85
$22.64
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$32.95
$30.86
$45.49
$21.97
$22.28
$18.55
$17.47
$24.17
$37.49
$15.30
$16.40
$17.78
$18.87
$15.97
$81.68
$18.37
$62.04
$30.79
$24.41
$32.85
$24.64
$20.25
$23.65
$62.97
$17.98
$19.01
$36.41
$14.96
$31.97
$33.02
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 4 of 6
$3,500.00
$1,511.00
$3,416.00
NR
$1,122.00
$5,195.00
NR
$2,558.84
NR
$1,930.00
$1,950.00
NR
NR
NR
NR
$2,535.00
$845.00
NR
$1,880.00
NR
$700.00
$1,000.00
$1,931.00
$3,750.00
$1,000.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,710.00
$1,933.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 14 }
SFWMD
Village of Tequesta
NR - Not Reported
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
Town of Lake Hamilton
City of Venice
SWFWMD
City of Lakeland
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Lake Wales
SJRWMD
SWFWMD
City of Lake Alfred
City of Sarasota
SWFWMD
City of Frostproof
City of Palatka
SWFWMD
City of Fort Meade
Sarasota County
SWFWMD
City of Eagle Lake
SWFWMD
Pinellas County
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Tarpon Springs
City of Davenport
SWFWMD
City of St. Petersburg
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Pinellas Park
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Oldsmar
City of Bartow
SWFWMD
City of Dunedin
City of Auburndale
SWFWMD
City of Clearwater
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Village of Golf
Hudson Water Works Inc
SFWMD
Town of Jupiter
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Town of Highland Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Palm Beach County
City of Zephyrhills
SFWMD
City of New Port Richey
SFWMD
Glades Utility Authority
WMD:
City of West Palm Beach
Utility Name:
Putnam County
Polk County
Pinellas County
Pasco County
Palm Beach County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
21,000
55,000
12,000
1,400
167,777
29,326
6,975
3,009
5,900
5,000
4,200
16,959
26,484
121,000
23,996
336,068
48,970
13,532
40,000
110,000
5,915
19,174
10,500
6,000
2,000
80,000
3,600
532,000
25,051
51,000
Est Service Population: Units
4/1/2012 GAL
9/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
5/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
11/10/2011 GAL
NR GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
3/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2009 GAL
2/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
Effective Date
$18.15
$13.76
$15.41
$15.50
$7.49
$5.66
$12.75
$13.97
$5.00
$11.80
$9.75
$8.88
$8.86
$3.35
$12.51
$9.50
$19.62
$12.25
$13.08
$16.30
$9.19
$3.16
$10.03
$13.77
$29.58
$18.28
$15.00
$11.42
$18.64
$19.43
Minimum Charge
0
4,000
0
0
0
6,000
3,000
0
4,000
3,000
0
4,000
0
0
0
3,000
1,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
10,000
0
0
0
0
$38.09
$24.88
$15.41
$27.50
$14.53
$14.62
$12.75
$16.15
$12.60
$11.80
$11.50
$17.08
$8.86
$22.47
$21.95
$23.30
$26.16
$28.66
$28.44
$22.90
$18.43
$8.84
$19.67
$22.53
$29.58
$22.82
$23.60
$15.98
$27.81
$31.47
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$66.78
$37.96
$20.73
$40.25
$21.97
$25.95
$14.75
$24.87
$21.00
$19.80
$18.50
$26.78
$15.26
$41.59
$38.44
$39.16
$52.32
$50.54
$49.56
$49.30
$32.69
$14.52
$31.49
$31.29
$29.58
$28.20
$32.20
$26.18
$48.75
$43.50
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 5 of 6
$1,210.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,050.00
$1,853.00
$1,285.27
NR
NR
NR
$1,700.00
NR
$1,264.99
$352.00
$1,895.00
$584.00
NR
NR
$1,961.00
NR
$1,200.00
$641.00
NR
NR
NR
$4,153.36
NR
$4,950.40
$2,650.00
$2,190.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 15 }
SJRWMD
Seminole County
36,370
SJRWMD SJRWMD
SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD
City of Orange City
City of Ormond Beach
City of Port Orange
City of South Daytona
Town of Ponce Inlet
Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beac SJRWMD
Volusia County
NR - Not Reported
Washington County
Walton County
Wakulla County
23,813
SJRWMD
City of Edgewater
NWFWMD
NWFWMD
South Walton Utility Company
City of Chipley
NWFWMD
NWFWMD
City of St. Marks
City of DeFuniak Springs
NWFWMD
City of Sopchoppy
SJRWMD
3,000
SJRWMD
City of DeLand
2,000
20,000
4,000
295
8,750
13,000
70,000
50,000
10,500
25,000
40,000
88,000
SJRWMD
City of Daytona Beach
4,000
15,500
Volusia County
SWFWMD
SFWMD
St Lucie West Services District
185,000
756
26,163
79,005
154,752
700
35,996
51,000
41,713
20,000
55,000
Est Service Population:
City of Wildwood
SFWMD
City of Port St. Lucie
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
Lake Harney Water Association
Town of Hastings
SJRWMD
City of Winter Springs
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
City of Sanford
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
City of Oviedo
St. Johns County - Ponte Vedra System
SJRWMD
City of Longwood
St. Johns County - Main System
SJRWMD
WMD:
City of Casselberry
Utility Name:
Sumter County
St. Lucie County
St Johns County
Seminole County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
Units
10/7/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
1/1/2002 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
4/1/2009 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
6/24/2009 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
5/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
4/15/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
2/1/2009 GAL
2/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
Effective Date
$11.94
$8.00
$12.13
$21.81
$18.00
$11.67
$11.65
$12.00
$13.00
$9.90
$11.79
$8.54
$10.21
$11.87
$8.59
$6.07
$15.42
$9.00
$32.74
$12.67
$11.91
$11.46
$15.00
$5.43
$9.76
$10.02
$6.30
$6.76
Minimum Charge
2,000
0
2,000
3,000
3,000
0
0
2,000
1,000
0
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
0
0
0
$16.34
$14.16
$17.25
$24.57
$21.00
$18.67
$15.68
$21.10
$28.00
$17.20
$17.99
$19.06
$21.77
$19.55
$25.47
$10.31
$29.30
$23.28
$55.62
$18.35
$24.03
$15.34
$22.50
$10.51
$13.56
$14.36
$11.90
$12.23
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$25.46
$21.13
$27.58
$35.61
$33.00
$26.99
$22.08
$39.30
$48.45
$29.60
$31.55
$30.39
$40.61
$27.23
$42.35
$15.61
$43.18
$40.80
$78.50
$24.93
$38.40
$19.22
$40.50
$15.59
$22.32
$21.76
$17.50
$19.83
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 6 of 6
$778.46
$2,800.00
$1,275.00
NR
NR
$375.00
NR
NR
$625.00
$1,555.00
$2,276.08
$900.00
NR
NR
$979.00
$1,043.39
$1,545.00
$1,690.00
NR
$1,878.58
$1,878.58
$1,053.50
$850.00
NR
$1,343.00
NR
$1,449.00
NR
Capacity Fee:
{ 16 }
{ 17 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
The 2012 Florida Water Rate Survey includes information for more than 170 utilities throughout Florida, each with its own unique characteristics including rate structures that vary in complexity and cost. This document includes highlights from the survey results and illustrates why rates may differ among communities. We hope this document provides a resource for utilities to benchmark and compare themselves amongst their peer communities in the State of Florida, and to stay abreast of industry trends in the state.
ABOUT RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC. Raftelis Financial Consultants (RFC) is one of the largest and most respected utility financial, rate, and management consulting practices in the nation, with more than 35 consultants in our five offices located in Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; Kansas City, MO; Pasadena, CA; and Cary, NC. RFC provides a variety of financial, rate, and management consulting services for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities including: Cost of Service and Rate Studies Debt Issuance/Bond Feasibility Support Financial and Capital Improvements Planning Dispute Resolution/Litigation Support Stormwater Program Development Valuation Management/Organizational Assessments and Audits • Procurement Assistance • • • • • • •
RFC has conducted the national Water and Wastewater Rate Survey since 1996, and has co-published it with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) since 2004. The national survey includes information on more than 300 utilities throughout the U.S., and represents the most comprehensive collection of water and wastewater utility data available in the industry. The RFC Florida office is located in Orlando and is managed by Mike Rocca and Tony Hairston who have a combined 47 years of experience serving municipal utilities throughout Florida. Should you have any questions or need additional information regarding either the national or Florida rate survey, please feel free to contact Mike Rocca (mrocca@ raftelis.com) or Tony Hairston (ahairston@raftelis. com) at 407-730-5944. For more information about RFC, please visit www.raftelis.com.
976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 204, Orlando, FL 32814 Phone 407 . 730 . 5944 Fax 407 . 730 . 5941 www.raftelis.com
FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
976 Lake Baldwin Lane Suite 204 Orlando, FL 32814
Phone 407 . 730 . 5944 Fax 407 . 730 . 5941
www.raftelis.com
The 2012 Florida Water Rate Survey represents the initial rate survey conducted by Raftelis Financial Consultants (RFC) in Florida. RFC has conducted a national Water and Wastewater Rate Survey since 1996, and has done so in conjunction with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) since 2004. The 2012 Water Rate Survey is intended to provide keen insight to water pricing practices currently utilized by publicly-owned utilities in Florida. While many utilities provide wastewater and reclaimed water services, the goal of this initial survey is focused on typical potable water bills and rate structures for over 170 Florida public utilities. The respondents include small utilities serving a population less than 10,000 to the largest utilities in Florida with service populations of 500,000 or more. The survey addresses a cumulative service population of over 13.8 million people throughout Florida. The survey results are sorted alphabetically by county and thereafter listed by the city or utility name. The rates shown are exclusive of utility taxes or outside-city rates for those jurisdictions that have such charges. Following this introduction is a discussion on why water rates differ together with a narrative summarizing the survey results. Also included are statistics such as the number of usage rate blocks, gallons included in the first usage block, revenue recovery from fixed charges, minimum water bill levels, etc. The survey table includes population information, water management district along with residential monthly minimum water bill amount, and bill amounts for usage at 4,000 and 8,000 gallons. Water capacity (impact) fee charge information is also included in the survey table. We would like to thank all the participants in the Florida Rate Survey and extend a special thanks to Ken Small at the Florida League of Cities for his support on distributing the survey questionnaire. This survey was completed with the valuable assistance of Rocky Craley, Joe Williams, and Robin Chacko of Raftelis Financial Consultants. We hope that you will find these results informative and look forward to completing additional utility rate surveys in 2013. Your suggestions or comments are welcomed regarding the Florida Water Rate Survey or any future survey. Sincerely, RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
CONTENTS Factors Affecting Rates
01
Mike Rocca, CMC
Tony Hairston
Overview of the Survey
04
Director of Florida Operations
Manager
Additional Results
08
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
{ 01 }
FACTO R S A F F E CTING RATES This Florida Rate Survey is focused on publicly-owned utilities. Often utility infrastructure is the most valuable asset in many communities. The rates established by INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT operations, maintenance, and renewal of the utility In prior decades throughout infrastructure investment. There are many factors that Florida, utility capital fundhave an effect on the level of utility rates; however, based ing was primarily focused on meeting the demands of on our experience, the following summarizes the more growth. Much of the cost salient factors affecting potable water rates. of providing infrastructure for growth could be mitigated by a combination of impact fees, developer contributions, and careful expansion planning. With the aging of infrastrucSOURCE OF SUPPLY ture, increases in regulatory requirements and the The source of most potable water in Florida is from unslowing of growth, communities are increasingly derground aquifer systems. However, the quality of water concerned with both the upgrade and replacement and level of treatment necessary to meet regulatory and of infrastructure. The burden of upgrading and public acceptance varies greatly throughout the state due replacing infrastructure is typically born by existing to the various sources. For example, communities located customers through utility rate revenues. Moreover, inland often require lower levels of treatment compared these capital costs are higher than the original cost to those along the coast with more brackish water. Even due to inflation and the difficulty of replacing existwith a high water quality nearby, communities may have ing piping compared to the original installation cost regulatory limits to the amount of high quality water that on undeveloped land. While these challenges are may be withdrawn through their consumption use pergrowing, there is increasing pressure to maintain mits. Many communities are required to identify and plan rates and avoid rate adjustments. Infrastructure for alternative water supplies, with these alternatives being replacement can often be delayed from one year to much more expensive to treat than existing sources of the next as budget pressures grow; however, such supply. Finally, depending on the location of the source of postponements generally create the need for larger supply, an expensive transmission system may be required rate increases in the future. to deliver potable water to the customer service area.
each community for utility service are essential in
{ 02 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
ACQUISITIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS A significant number of Florida utilities were initially constructed to minimum standards by the primary land developer in order to support land sale activities. Many of these utilities were subsequently acquired by local governments at a prices that included contributions made by existing customers. The inclusion of these customer contributions in the acquisition price was determined to be appropriate by a Florida Supreme Court ruling. These acquisitions together with costs incurred for upgrading the utility to municipal standards is another factor contributing to rate levels. CONNECTION DENSITY A common factor affecting both the capital and operating costs of utilities is the number of connections within their service area. Utilities such as compact cities with high densities enjoy certain economies due to factors such as shorter piping systems and less travel time for servicing the system and customers. This connection density factor should be considered when comparing rates especially involving a combination of county and city systems. REGULATORY STRINGENCY Water utilities must provide drinking water that is safe for its customers and meet reporting and testing requirements. Regulatory requirements such as the EPA Disinfection By-Products Rule (DBPR) affect various communities differently based on the source of its water supply, age of the distribution system, and other factors. Meeting DBPR and other regulatory requirements can require both capital and operating investments that lead to higher user rates. DECREASING PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION Many utilities are facing declining per capita potable water consumption due to multiple factors. With most utility costs fixed, communities need to increase rates to compensate for the loss in revenue from reduced usage. This issue is especially valid for those utilities that have been heavily reliant on inverted (conservation) rates as a cost recovery source. There are several reasons for decreasing per capita consumption including more water efficient appliances and irrigation systems installed during renovations or through utility incentive programs. Another recent cause for declining usage is the housing market and a large number of unoccupied homes and businesses, which is likely temporary in many communities, but has persisted longer than expected. Further contributing to declining consumption is increased awareness due to conservation outreach efforts. Utility customers are responding to ongoing conservation messages.
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
WATER RESTRICTIONS Water shortages and watering restrictions throughout Florida have been declared at various levels by the water management districts over the past several years. Water restrictions include limitations on days and hours of irrigation use, and announced water shortages are accompanied by pleas to reduce consumption by set percentage amounts. Since most utility costs are fixed and by definition remain constant regardless of certain deviations in demand, the effect of lower water sales due to water shortages tend to require higher rates to support those fixed costs. EFFICIENCIES Potable water rates are also dependent on the extent a community has been able to use technology and effective management to achieve a high level of service at the lowest possible cost. Most communities are reporting the ability to accomplish more while relying on fewer resources. For example, many utilities have implemented automated meter reading (AMR) systems to reduce operating costs and increase meter reading accuracy. Implementation of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technology can increase system monitoring capabilities while lowering operating costs. Other efficiencies that can affect rates include minimizing unbilled water and exploring wholesale arrangements to sell excess capacity. BUDGET POLICIES The full accounting of indirect costs within potable water utilities can vary tremendously among various communities. For city and county utilities, there are many supporting departments that may or may not be recognized in the budget process. Even when recognized, the cost of such support services may not be accurate. In one community such costs may be understated while in others they may be overstated due to budget pressures. In addition, many communities include a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), payment in lieu of franchise fees (PILOFF), or simply a transfer to the general fund. The amounts and methodology of such transfers vary considerably, and have a direct effect on utility rates. POLITICAL ACTION The local political climate will have an effect on utility rates. Policymakers generally desire to have rates at a minimum level, or at least avoid rate increases while maintaining quality service. For example, if a community values redundancy in its service or extra protection for its water supply, then it may be willing to have slightly higher rates, if necessary. Often this must be accomplished by carefully planning occasional modest rate adjustments. Many communities in the survey indicated that rates are indexed annually to an inflation index or by an established inflation percentage. However, there is often very strong resistance to rate increases until utility assets begin failing or regulatory mandates dictate the implementation of costly upgrades. Localized political pressures will affect rates either directly or indirectly.
{ 03 }
{ 04 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
OV E RV I E W O F T H E SURVEY
The survey provides
A benchmark of 4,000 gallons per month is used as a represen-
data on 177 water
tation of indoor usage levels. This amount equates to average
service providers throughout Florida.
demand of 131 gallons per day. A secondary benchmark of 8,000 gallons, or 263 gallons per day, has also been used in order to provide additional information for higher levels of service. Most utilities measure metered water use in terms of gallon increments. Approximately 5% of surveyed utilities report metered water use in terms of hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) rather than thousands of gallons. For these utilities the usage rate data was calculated based on 5.35 CCF and 10.70 CCF of monthly usage which corresponds to 4,000 gallons and 8,000 gallons per month based on 748 gallons per hundred cubic feet. The distribution of monthly bills at 4,000 gallons from lowest to highest, along with the corresponding bill at 8,000 gallons of usage is shown in the Monthly Charge Comparison graph on the following page.
{ 05 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
MONTHLY CHARGE COMPARISON As shown in this table, there is a wide distribution of residential water bills at the 4,000 gallons usage level. The average of all utilities surveyed is $20.55 per month. As noted above, there are numerous reasons why utility rates are different among service providers. The monthly bill for each utility at 8,000 gallons is shown directly above the same utility bill at 4,000 gallons, and the distribution of bills at 8,000 gallons does not
MONTHLY CHARGE (in dollars)
necessarily correspond to the 4,000 gallon distribution. The average monthly bill at 8,000 gallons is $32.24. $ 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Average bill at 8,000 gallons = $32.24
Average bill at 4,000 gallons = $20.55 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
UTILITIES 4,000 gallons
8,000 gallons
4,000 gallon avg.
40%
8,000 gallon avg.
SURVEYED UTILITIES BY POPULATION SIZE
70 36%
30%
32%
63
60
57 50
25%
40
20% 15%
16%
16%
28
29
30 20
10%
10
5%
0
0% O - 10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001 - 100,000
POPULATION SIZE
100,001 & above
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
35%
The survey includes a distribution of utilities of various size and location. This table shows the distribution of surveyed utilities by population size.
{ 06 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
SRWMD
RESPONDENTS BY WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
4 utilities 2%
The consumption use permits for potable water use are governed by the five water management districts throughout
NWFWMD
Florida. The survey respondents by water management district are as follows:
SJRWMD
20 utilities 12%
55 utilities 31%
SFWMD
Northwest Florida Water Management District NFWMD, 20 utilities
Alligator Point Water Resources District, Bay County, City of Callaway, City of Chipley, City of Crestview, City of DeFuniak Springs, Destin Water Users, City of Fort Walton Beach, City of Marianna, City of Mary Ester, City of Monticello, City of Panama City, City of Parker, City of Sopchoppy, City of St. Marks, City of Tallahassee, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Liberty County, Okaloosa County, and South Walton Utility Company.
50 utilities 28%
SWFWMD 48 utilities 27%
South Florida Water Management District SFWMD, 50 utilities
Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc., Broward County, City of Boca Raton, City of Boynton Beach, City of Cape Coral, City of Clewiston, City of Cooper City, City of Coral Springs, City of Delray Beach, City of Ft Lauderdale, City of Hallandale Beach, City of Hollywood, City of Homestead, City of Labelle, City of Lake Worth, City of Lantana, City of Marco Island, City of Margate, City of Naples, City of North Bay Village, City of Ocoee, City of Pembroke Pines, City of Plantation, City of Pompano Beach, City of Port St. Lucie, City of Riviera Beach, City of St. Cloud, City of Stuart, City of Sunrise, City of West Palm Beach, City of Wilton Manors, Collier County, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Glades Utility Authority, Martin County, Miami Dade County, Okeechobee Utility Authority, Orange County, Palm Beach County, Reedy Creek Improvement District, St Lucie West Services District, Toho Water Authority, Town of Davie, Town of Fort Myers Beach, Town of Highland Beach, Town of Hillsboro Beach, Town of Jupiter, Town of Medley, Village of Golf, and Village of Tequesta.
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
Southwest Florida Water Management District SWFWMD, 48 utilities
Charlotte County, City of Auburndale, City of Bartow, City of Bowling Green, City of Bradenton, City of Brooksville, City of Clearwater, City of Crystal River, City of Davenport, City of Dunedin, City of Eagle Lake, City of Fort Meade, City of Frostproof, City of Inglis, City of Lake Alfred, City of Lake Wales, City of Lakeland, City of New Port Richey, City of Ocala, City of Oldsmar, City of Palmetto, City of Pinellas Park, City of Plant City, City of Punta Gorda, City of Sarasota, City of Sebring, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, City of Tarpon Springs, City of Temple Terrace, City of Venice, City of Wauchula, City of Wildwood, City of Williston, City of Zephyrhills, Englewood Water District, Fort Myers Utilities, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Hudson Water Works Inc, Lee County, Manatee County, Pinellas County, Town of Bronson, Town of Lake Hamilton, Town of Lake Placid, Town of Longboat Key, and Town of Zolfo Springs. St. Johns River Water Management District SJRWMD, 55 utilities
Brevard County, City of Apopka, City of Atlantic Beach, City of Barefoot Bay, City of Belleview, City of Bunnell, City of Casselberry, City of Clermont, City of Cocoa, City of Daytona Beach, City of DeLand, City of Eatonville, City of Edgewater, City of Eustis, City of Fernandina Beach, City of Fruitland Park, City of Green Cove Springs, City of Jacksonville Beach, City of Leesburg, City of Longwood, City of Maitland, City of Mascotte, City of Melbourne, City of Mount Dora, City of Orange City, City of Ormond Beach, City of Oviedo, City of Palatka, City of Palm Coast, City of Port Orange, City of Sanford, City of South Daytona, City of Tavares, City of Titusville, City of Umatilla, City of Vero Beach, City of West Melbourne, City of Winter Park, City of Winter Springs, Flagler County, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Indian River County, JEA, Lake Harney Water Association, Marion County, Orlando Utilities Commission, Seminole County, St. Johns County - Main System, St. Johns County - Ponte Vedra System, Town of Hastings, Town of Orange Park, Town of Penney Farms, Town of Ponce Inlet, Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach, and Volusia County. Suwanee River Water Management District SRWMD, 4 utilities
City of Alachua, City of Chiefland, City of Lake City, and City of Madison.
{ 07 }
{ 08 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
ADDITIO NAL RES U LTS
A table of the detailed survey results is provided at the end of this section. All utilities surveyed have a combination of a fixed monthly charge and a separate variable charge based on the amount of metered water use as their primary revenue generation mechanism. Most water management district consumption use permits require utilities to have a conservation rate structure (multiple variable rate blocks that are “inverted” or increase at higher usage amounts) to reduce water consumption. The survey identified that approximately 10% of utilities surveyed still lack a conservation rate structure. Certain other characteristics of surveyed utilities include the following.
FIXED PORTION OF WATER BILL AT 4,000 GALLONS Fixed cost recovery is an important indicator of financial strength, especially considering trends in declining water use. The following provides the percentage of fixed revenue as a percentage of the total bill at 4,000 gallons. It is important to note that the greater amount of revenue recovered from the fixed monthly charge, the greater the revenue stability but also the greater the burden on the low end users. The survey results show that at 4,000 gallons of residential consumption, most utilities fixed component is between 51% and 75% of the total charge.
110
57%
100
101
50%
90 80
40%
70 60
30% 20%
25%
50
44
40
0%
30
12%
10%
21 2% / 3 0% - 25%
20 4% 8
26% - 50%
51% - 75%
76% - 99%
100%
PERCENTAGE OF 4,000 GALLON BILL FROM FIXED CHARGE
10 0
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
60%
{ 09 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
FIRST BLOCK THRESHOLD The survey shows a significant variance among utilities with respect to the amount of usage (either gallons or cubic feet) included in the lowest consumption block. Most utilities reported 3,000 gallons (4.0 CCF) to 5,000 gallons in the first consumption block. It should be noted that there are 38 utilities with usage in the minimum charge, such usage amount is considered as the first rate block for survey purposes. The distribution of first block thresholds is provided in the graph below.
45
23%
40
41
25%
35
18% 20%
32
15%
14% 15% 10% 10%
27
24 7%
15
17
13 5%
10
3%
5
5
0% Uniform
25 20
10%
18
30
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
30%
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
over 6,000
GALLONS IN LOWEST USAGE RATE BLOCK
NUMBER OF USAGE RATE BLOCKS Usage rate blocks ranged from one to six with four being the most frequent number of rate blocks as illustrated in the graph below.
60
30%
30%
54
25%
50 22%
40
39
20%
30 15% 10%
10%
11%
18
19
13%
14%
23
24
20 10
5% 0%
0 Uniform
2 Blocks
3 Blocks
4 Blocks
NUMBER OF USAGE BLOCKS
5 Blocks
6 Blocks
NUMBER OF UTILITIES
PERCENTAGE OF UTILITIES
35%
{ 10 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
MONTHLY MINIMUM WATER BILL The median of surveyed minimum water bills (i.e. lowest possible residential bill) for all surveyed utilities is $11.33. The distribution of the minimum water bills is as follows.
DETAILED SURVEY RESULTS BY COUNTY In the following pages, we have included the results the detailed results of the survey sorted alphabetically by County. This information includes utility name, the utility’s water management district jurisdiction, estimated population served,
$15.01 +
effective date of existing rates, unit of
39 utilities 22%
$10 or less 74 utilities 42%
64 utilities 36%
monthly residential bills at 4,000 and 8,000 * NR stands for Not Reported.
NUMBER OF UTILITIES WITH ANNUAL RATE INDEX Many utilities report that rates are adjusted periodically by a rate index in order to compensate for the effects of inflation on expenses. Of the utilities that indicated an indexing status, 43% utilize an annual index (19 utilities did not indicate whether or not they utilize an index).
90 utilities 57%
charge expressed on a monthly basis, gallons, and water capacity (impact) fees.
$10.01 - $15.00
No Index
measurement (gallons or CCF), minimum
Annual Index 68 utilities 43%
NR - Not Reported
Charlotte County
Broward County
Brevard County
Bay County
Alachua County
County:
SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD
City of Plantation
City of Pompano Beach
City of Sunrise
City of Wilton Manors
Town of Davie
Town of Hillsboro Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Pembroke Pines
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Margate
Englewood Water District
SFWMD
City of Hollywood
City of Punta Gorda
SFWMD
City of Hallandale Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Ft Lauderdale
Charlotte County
SFWMD
City of Coral Springs
SJRWMD
City of West Melbourne SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Titusville
City of Cooper City
SJRWMD
City of Melbourne
SFWMD
SJRWMD
Broward County
SJRWMD
City of Cocoa
NWFWMD
City of Parker
City of Barefoot Bay
NWFWMD
City of Panama City SJRWMD
NWFWMD
City of Callaway
Brevard County
NWFWMD
SJRWMD
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Bay County
SRWMD
WMD:
City of Alachua
Utility Name:
Florida Water Rate Survey 2012
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
17,300
36,305
142,411
2,500
35,000
12,000
220,000
79,917
85,056
150,000
58,233
140,000
40,000
250,000
12,000
29,000
293,000
18,900
53,000
150,000
280,000
10,000
8,000
4,317
36,484
14,405
6,100
69,438
9,900
Est Service Population: Units
1/7/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
4/1/2012 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
NR GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2008 GAL
10/1/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2010 GAL
Effective Date
$15.62
$7.03
$21.77
$24.00
$18.97
$28.96
$15.20
$12.88
$11.06
$12.31
$11.26
$5.39
$21.00
$5.28
$32.00
$11.24
$14.68
$14.08
$8.39
$6.89
$12.03
$11.33
$12.32
$8.03
$6.40
$10.85
$8.40
$8.65
$7.90
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
$23.34
$20.23
$40.45
$30.80
$31.49
$43.12
$27.12
$21.84
$17.34
$17.10
$24.74
$17.58
$25.26
$13.70
$38.04
$22.36
$21.18
$34.73
$19.27
$23.85
$22.03
$22.49
$16.18
$23.23
$16.92
$25.34
$15.93
$16.85
$14.26
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$32.34
$33.43
$61.23
$44.40
$48.63
$57.28
$39.04
$30.80
$26.76
$36.26
$39.90
$41.21
$30.65
$28.06
$46.68
$34.77
$36.22
$56.43
$34.26
$40.81
$36.61
$33.65
$31.62
$38.43
$27.44
$39.86
$23.71
$26.65
$22.54
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 1 of 6
$3,273.96
$2,824.00
$1,780.00
NR
$3,050.00
NR
$1,500.00
NR
$1,585.00
$2,306.35
NR
$1,130.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,316.00
$1,440.00
$3,804.00
$250.00
$1,116.00
$1,750.00
$335.00
$2,053.00
$500.00
$465.00
NR
$551.67
$1,000.00
$1,950.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 11 }
NR - Not Reported
Indian River County
Hillsborough County
Highlands County
Hernando County
SWFWMD SWFWMD
City of Temple Terrace
Hillsborough County
SJRWMD
SWFWMD
City of Tampa
City of Vero Beach
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Plant City
SWFWMD
Town of Lake Placid
SWFWMD
Hernando County
City of Sebring
SWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Labelle
City of Brooksville
SFWMD
SWFWMD
Town of Zolfo Springs
City of Clewiston
SWFWMD
City of Wauchula
Hendry County
SWFWMD
City of Bowling Green
Hardee County
NWFWMD
SJRWMD
Flagler County
Alligator Point Water Resources District
SJRWMD
City of Palm Coast
Franklin County
SJRWMD
City of Bunnell
NWFWMD
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
SJRWMD
JEA
Flagler County
SJRWMD
City of Jacksonville Beach
Escambia County
SJRWMD
City of Atlantic Beach
Duval County
SRWMD
SFWMD
Collier County
City of Lake City
SFWMD
Columbia
SFWMD
City of Naples
SJRWMD
Town of Penney Farms
City of Marco Island
SJRWMD
Town of Orange Park
Collier County
SJRWMD
City of Green Cove Springs
Clay County
SWFWMD
WMD:
City of Crystal River
Utility Name:
Citrus County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
34,000
479,525
31,000
560,000
34,721
2,593
16,023
162,000
8,150
4,893
10,000
1,827
6,500
2,900
1,800
110
75,180
2,800
90,000
864,263
21,000
23,000
20,000
200,000
62,000
27,912
741
8,500
3,000
3,110
Est Service Population: Units
10/1/2009 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
10/2/2011 CCF
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2007 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
12/19/2005 GAL
4/15/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/11/2011 GAL
6/21/2003 GAL
10/1/2005 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
3/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
NR GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
Effective Date
$13.60
$12.03
$5.76
$1.50
$6.82
$13.80
$8.14
$5.40
$20.03
$20.30
$6.00
$10.15
$9.69
$11.24
$15.00
$28.88
$13.94
$15.89
$10.05
$12.60
$8.93
$8.97
$14.54
$17.63
$8.07
$30.83
$20.00
$13.76
$8.00
$6.92
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
3,000
4,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
0
1,000
0
$16.92
$26.39
$12.88
$11.30
$13.26
$29.88
$17.34
$9.48
$22.25
$30.82
$21.64
$16.53
$11.10
$11.24
$23.00
$55.04
$29.06
$37.17
$18.25
$17.80
$19.05
$14.47
$22.02
$27.31
$13.31
$46.23
$21.50
$20.64
$12.53
$17.76
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$26.09
$44.32
$20.00
$24.30
$21.20
$46.32
$26.54
$14.10
$31.13
$41.34
$37.28
$29.30
$19.43
$17.64
$32.50
$81.20
$45.29
$58.45
$26.45
$25.70
$32.29
$24.23
$32.32
$40.65
$18.55
$61.63
$27.50
$29.24
$18.57
$29.14
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 2 of 6
$1,499.00
NR
$3,250.00
$2,089.00
$790.00
$750.00
$690.00
$1,147.00
$672.00
$2,760.00
$1,133.00
NR
NR
$1,699.50
NR
$2,780.00
$7,232.73
$2,112.00
$1,395.00
$1,256.50
$325.00
NR
NR
$3,205.00
NR
NR
$650.00
$650.00
$1,000.00
NR
Capacity Fee:
{ 12 }
SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD
City of Clermont
City of Eustis
City of Fruitland Park
City of Leesburg
City of Mascotte
City of Mount Dora
City of Tavares
City of Umatilla
Lake County
SWFWMD SWFWMD SWFWMD
City of Palmetto
Manatee County
Town of Longboat Key
NR - Not Reported
Marion County
SWFWMD
City of Bradenton
Manatee County
SJRWMD SWFWMD SJRWMD
City of Belleview
City of Ocala
Marion County
SRWMD
NWFWMD
City of Madison
SWFWMD
Town of Bronson
Liberty County
SWFWMD
City of Williston
Madison County
SWFWMD
Liberty County
SRWMD
City of Inglis
SFWMD
Town of Fort Myers Beach
City of Chiefland
SWFWMD
Lee County
Levy County
SWFWMD
Fort Myers Utilities
NWFWMD
SFWMD
City of Cape Coral
City of Tallahassee
SFWMD
Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc.
NWFWMD
Leon County
Lee County
SJRWMD
City of Monticello
Jefferson County
NWFWMD
City of Marianna
SJRWMD
Indian River County
WMD:
Jackson County
Utility Name:
Indian River County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
70,000
50,924
5,000
8,000
271,000
12,606
49,546
7,350
970
1,100
2,900
1,400
1,150
248,000
6,600
322,000
62,289
150,000
50,000
3,500
24,976
30,400
4,000
25,000
4,025
34,444
33,000
3,000
10,000
100,000
Est Service Population: Units
1/4/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 CCF
10/1/2008 GAL
3/1/2012 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2006 GAL
9/25/2005 GAL
7/12/2004 GAL
10/20/2005 GAL
11/12/2008 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
11/9/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2010 GAL
4/15/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
4/1/2012 HCF
7/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
2/1/2012 GAL
5/14/2002 GAL
6/10/2010 CCF
11/7/2010 GAL
10/1/1999 GAL
Effective Date
$13.17
$9.20
$9.41
$14.07
$7.73
$6.20
$13.17
$5.55
$12.50
$8.00
$6.00
$27.00
$8.18
$9.59
$12.31
$11.35
$8.74
$16.93
$12.17
$7.70
$14.65
$5.59
$28.05
$8.04
$15.36
$8.87
$5.48
$5.00
$9.00
$9.05
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
5,000
0
3,000
0
2,500
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
$18.13
$13.05
$17.73
$22.83
$15.17
$22.08
$22.69
$11.35
$14.35
$8.00
$10.00
$36.00
$18.46
$11.74
$32.55
$23.15
$25.86
$32.17
$26.81
$14.74
$19.56
$9.49
$38.05
$11.64
$16.51
$18.11
$9.88
$11.42
$17.00
$18.07
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$23.93
$16.90
$26.47
$34.38
$23.55
$39.28
$35.93
$17.15
$21.05
$20.00
$14.60
$72.00
$29.04
$17.97
$54.79
$36.43
$52.67
$49.33
$43.01
$23.34
$27.00
$13.47
$56.05
$16.28
$22.43
$27.35
$14.28
$17.83
$25.00
$29.18
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 3 of 6
$1,887.00
NR
$877.80
NR
$1,970.00
NR
$824.00
NR
NR
NR
$846.00
NR
NR
$630.00
$1,254.60
$2,440.00
NR
NR
$2,600.00
$2,174.51
NR
NR
$1,816.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,935.00
$982.00
$700.00
$1,300.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 13 }
NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD NWFWMD
City of Crestview
City of Fort Walton Beach
City of Mary Ester
Destin Water Users
Okaloosa County
SFWMD SJRWMD SFWMD
Orange County
Orlando Utilities Commission
Reedy Creek Improvement District
NR - Not Reported
Palm Beach County
SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD SFWMD
City of Boca Raton
City of Boynton Beach
City of Delray Beach
City of Lake Worth
City of Lantana
City of Riviera Beach
SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Winter Park
Toho Water Authority
SFWMD
City of Ocoee
SFWMD
SJRWMD
City of Maitland
City of St. Cloud
SJRWMD
City of Eatonville
Osceola County
SJRWMD
City of Apopka
Orange County
SFWMD
Okeechobee Utility Authority
Okeechobee County
SJRWMD
City of Fernandina Beach
Okaloosa County
SFWMD
Town of Medley
Nassau County
SFWMD
Miami Dade County SFWMD
SFWMD
City of North Bay Village
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
SFWMD
SFWMD
City of Homestead
SFWMD
Martin County
WMD:
City of Stuart
Utility Name:
Monroe County
Miami Dade County
Martin County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
30,000
10,000
48,000
65,000
102,512
84,392
73,000
22,000
150,000
416,816
520,135
28,074
36,712
16,479
3,000
57,243
5,621
36,000
12,641
3,844
20,000
23,000
24,000
73,269
60,000
2,250,000
7,137
60,512
87,853
17,000
Est Service Population: Units
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
12/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
4/1/2012 GAL
3/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
2/1/2012 GAL
9/25/2008 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
12/13/1993 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
5/1/2012 GAL
10/20/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
10/1/2011 GAL
4/9/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
Effective Date
$12.47
$19.40
$17.25
$15.72
$10.76
$12.62
$4.51
$11.90
$27.83
$7.50
$6.33
$8.62
$9.77
$7.51
$7.65
$7.15
$18.94
$8.88
$8.74
$11.00
$8.06
$9.00
$10.31
$13.27
$11.26
$3.20
$16.51
$7.01
$15.73
$11.71
Minimum Charge
0
0
0
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
0
0
5,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
$22.71
$24.20
$28.37
$16.97
$16.52
$15.58
$8.23
$16.29
$32.66
$10.48
$10.84
$12.30
$14.05
$10.81
$40.72
$12.47
$37.40
$18.59
$16.26
$21.55
$12.88
$12.70
$16.28
$35.55
$11.26
$5.84
$20.49
$10.52
$23.85
$22.64
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$32.95
$30.86
$45.49
$21.97
$22.28
$18.55
$17.47
$24.17
$37.49
$15.30
$16.40
$17.78
$18.87
$15.97
$81.68
$18.37
$62.04
$30.79
$24.41
$32.85
$24.64
$20.25
$23.65
$62.97
$17.98
$19.01
$36.41
$14.96
$31.97
$33.02
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 4 of 6
$3,500.00
$1,511.00
$3,416.00
NR
$1,122.00
$5,195.00
NR
$2,558.84
NR
$1,930.00
$1,950.00
NR
NR
NR
NR
$2,535.00
$845.00
NR
$1,880.00
NR
$700.00
$1,000.00
$1,931.00
$3,750.00
$1,000.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,710.00
$1,933.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 14 }
SFWMD
Village of Tequesta
NR - Not Reported
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
Town of Lake Hamilton
City of Venice
SWFWMD
City of Lakeland
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Lake Wales
SJRWMD
SWFWMD
City of Lake Alfred
City of Sarasota
SWFWMD
City of Frostproof
City of Palatka
SWFWMD
City of Fort Meade
Sarasota County
SWFWMD
City of Eagle Lake
SWFWMD
Pinellas County
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Tarpon Springs
City of Davenport
SWFWMD
City of St. Petersburg
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Pinellas Park
SWFWMD
SWFWMD
City of Oldsmar
City of Bartow
SWFWMD
City of Dunedin
City of Auburndale
SWFWMD
City of Clearwater
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Village of Golf
Hudson Water Works Inc
SFWMD
Town of Jupiter
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Town of Highland Beach
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Palm Beach County
City of Zephyrhills
SFWMD
City of New Port Richey
SFWMD
Glades Utility Authority
WMD:
City of West Palm Beach
Utility Name:
Putnam County
Polk County
Pinellas County
Pasco County
Palm Beach County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
21,000
55,000
12,000
1,400
167,777
29,326
6,975
3,009
5,900
5,000
4,200
16,959
26,484
121,000
23,996
336,068
48,970
13,532
40,000
110,000
5,915
19,174
10,500
6,000
2,000
80,000
3,600
532,000
25,051
51,000
Est Service Population: Units
4/1/2012 GAL
9/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
5/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
11/1/2011 GAL
11/10/2011 GAL
NR GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
9/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
3/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
1/1/2011 GAL
11/1/2009 GAL
2/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 CCF
Effective Date
$18.15
$13.76
$15.41
$15.50
$7.49
$5.66
$12.75
$13.97
$5.00
$11.80
$9.75
$8.88
$8.86
$3.35
$12.51
$9.50
$19.62
$12.25
$13.08
$16.30
$9.19
$3.16
$10.03
$13.77
$29.58
$18.28
$15.00
$11.42
$18.64
$19.43
Minimum Charge
0
4,000
0
0
0
6,000
3,000
0
4,000
3,000
0
4,000
0
0
0
3,000
1,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
10,000
0
0
0
0
$38.09
$24.88
$15.41
$27.50
$14.53
$14.62
$12.75
$16.15
$12.60
$11.80
$11.50
$17.08
$8.86
$22.47
$21.95
$23.30
$26.16
$28.66
$28.44
$22.90
$18.43
$8.84
$19.67
$22.53
$29.58
$22.82
$23.60
$15.98
$27.81
$31.47
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$66.78
$37.96
$20.73
$40.25
$21.97
$25.95
$14.75
$24.87
$21.00
$19.80
$18.50
$26.78
$15.26
$41.59
$38.44
$39.16
$52.32
$50.54
$49.56
$49.30
$32.69
$14.52
$31.49
$31.29
$29.58
$28.20
$32.20
$26.18
$48.75
$43.50
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 5 of 6
$1,210.00
NR
NR
NR
$1,050.00
$1,853.00
$1,285.27
NR
NR
NR
$1,700.00
NR
$1,264.99
$352.00
$1,895.00
$584.00
NR
NR
$1,961.00
NR
$1,200.00
$641.00
NR
NR
NR
$4,153.36
NR
$4,950.40
$2,650.00
$2,190.00
Capacity Fee:
{ 15 }
SJRWMD
Seminole County
36,370
SJRWMD SJRWMD
SJRWMD SJRWMD SJRWMD
City of Orange City
City of Ormond Beach
City of Port Orange
City of South Daytona
Town of Ponce Inlet
Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beac SJRWMD
Volusia County
NR - Not Reported
Washington County
Walton County
Wakulla County
23,813
SJRWMD
City of Edgewater
NWFWMD
NWFWMD
South Walton Utility Company
City of Chipley
NWFWMD
NWFWMD
City of St. Marks
City of DeFuniak Springs
NWFWMD
City of Sopchoppy
SJRWMD
3,000
SJRWMD
City of DeLand
2,000
20,000
4,000
295
8,750
13,000
70,000
50,000
10,500
25,000
40,000
88,000
SJRWMD
City of Daytona Beach
4,000
15,500
Volusia County
SWFWMD
SFWMD
St Lucie West Services District
185,000
756
26,163
79,005
154,752
700
35,996
51,000
41,713
20,000
55,000
Est Service Population:
City of Wildwood
SFWMD
City of Port St. Lucie
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
Lake Harney Water Association
Town of Hastings
SJRWMD
City of Winter Springs
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
City of Sanford
SJRWMD
SJRWMD
City of Oviedo
St. Johns County - Ponte Vedra System
SJRWMD
City of Longwood
St. Johns County - Main System
SJRWMD
WMD:
City of Casselberry
Utility Name:
Sumter County
St. Lucie County
St Johns County
Seminole County
County:
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
Units
10/7/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
1/1/2002 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
4/1/2009 GAL
6/1/2011 GAL
6/24/2009 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
10/1/2010 GAL
1/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2009 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
5/1/2012 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
4/15/2010 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2012 GAL
2/1/2009 GAL
2/1/2011 GAL
10/1/2011 GAL
Effective Date
$11.94
$8.00
$12.13
$21.81
$18.00
$11.67
$11.65
$12.00
$13.00
$9.90
$11.79
$8.54
$10.21
$11.87
$8.59
$6.07
$15.42
$9.00
$32.74
$12.67
$11.91
$11.46
$15.00
$5.43
$9.76
$10.02
$6.30
$6.76
Minimum Charge
2,000
0
2,000
3,000
3,000
0
0
2,000
1,000
0
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
0
0
0
$16.34
$14.16
$17.25
$24.57
$21.00
$18.67
$15.68
$21.10
$28.00
$17.20
$17.99
$19.06
$21.77
$19.55
$25.47
$10.31
$29.30
$23.28
$55.62
$18.35
$24.03
$15.34
$22.50
$10.51
$13.56
$14.36
$11.90
$12.23
Gallons/CCF Monthly Bill included in @ 4,000 Minimum Bill Gallons
$25.46
$21.13
$27.58
$35.61
$33.00
$26.99
$22.08
$39.30
$48.45
$29.60
$31.55
$30.39
$40.61
$27.23
$42.35
$15.61
$43.18
$40.80
$78.50
$24.93
$38.40
$19.22
$40.50
$15.59
$22.32
$21.76
$17.50
$19.83
Monthly Bill @ 8,000 Gallons
Page 6 of 6
$778.46
$2,800.00
$1,275.00
NR
NR
$375.00
NR
NR
$625.00
$1,555.00
$2,276.08
$900.00
NR
NR
$979.00
$1,043.39
$1,545.00
$1,690.00
NR
$1,878.58
$1,878.58
$1,053.50
$850.00
NR
$1,343.00
NR
$1,449.00
NR
Capacity Fee:
{ 16 }
{ 17 }
2012 FLORIDA WATER RATE SURVEY
The 2012 Florida Water Rate Survey includes information for more than 170 utilities throughout Florida, each with its own unique characteristics including rate structures that vary in complexity and cost. This document includes highlights from the survey results and illustrates why rates may differ among communities. We hope this document provides a resource for utilities to benchmark and compare themselves amongst their peer communities in the State of Florida, and to stay abreast of industry trends in the state.
ABOUT RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC. Raftelis Financial Consultants (RFC) is one of the largest and most respected utility financial, rate, and management consulting practices in the nation, with more than 35 consultants in our five offices located in Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; Kansas City, MO; Pasadena, CA; and Cary, NC. RFC provides a variety of financial, rate, and management consulting services for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities including: Cost of Service and Rate Studies Debt Issuance/Bond Feasibility Support Financial and Capital Improvements Planning Dispute Resolution/Litigation Support Stormwater Program Development Valuation Management/Organizational Assessments and Audits • Procurement Assistance • • • • • • •
RFC has conducted the national Water and Wastewater Rate Survey since 1996, and has co-published it with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) since 2004. The national survey includes information on more than 300 utilities throughout the U.S., and represents the most comprehensive collection of water and wastewater utility data available in the industry. The RFC Florida office is located in Orlando and is managed by Mike Rocca and Tony Hairston who have a combined 47 years of experience serving municipal utilities throughout Florida. Should you have any questions or need additional information regarding either the national or Florida rate survey, please feel free to contact Mike Rocca (mrocca@ raftelis.com) or Tony Hairston (ahairston@raftelis. com) at 407-730-5944. For more information about RFC, please visit www.raftelis.com.
976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 204, Orlando, FL 32814 Phone 407 . 730 . 5944 Fax 407 . 730 . 5941 www.raftelis.com
