Tampa Bay Water’s proposed 2022 budget calls for a slight increase in the uniform water rate: $2.5634/1,000 gallons, an increase of 0.17 percent ($0.0044) over the current year. For the average household, which uses a little less than 4,200 gallons of water a month, the proposed rate increase would mean an extra $0.02 in their monthly bill.
Tampa Bay Water has been able to keep the proposed rate increase so small because of efficient and effective operations, and this proactive measure may help mitigate a larger increase in the future. At less than half a penny per gallon, wholesale tap water remains a value in the Tampa Bay region.
Tampa Bay Water staff presented the proposed budget to its board of directors to gain feedback at the April budget workshop. Feedback from the board and member governments will help staff refine the budget before presenting the final version for approval at the June board meeting.
As the region’s wholesale water supplier, Tampa Bay Water reliably and sustainably provides clean, safe water to the Tampa Bay region at an affordable rate. Over the past several years, the region’s population has grown significantly, calling for an increase in water supply and related infrastructure.
Regional Demand
Projected demand for the region in 2022 is 192.2 million gallons per day (mgd). That’s 7.5 mgd more than what was projected demand for 2021 (184.7 mgd).
This budget anticipates using current sources of supply to meet our six-member governments’ projected demands in 2022, but it also is forward-looking regarding the utility’s capital needs. It does not anticipate using any rate stabilization funds this year to preserve reserve accounts for use in future years. Four staff positions are included in the proposed budget.
An important part of 2022 and future fiscal budgets are new facilities that must be built in the next 10 years to accommodate increased demand, supply reliability and water quality improvement, which were highlighted in a Capital Improvements Program presentation.
