Watering the lawn or doing a load of laundry is about to get more expensive. The Fort Lauderdale City Commission recently approved a series of incremental rate increases for water and wastewater services. The city claims the increases are needed to support the construction of a state-of-the-art water treatment facility.
In February, the City Commission approved the construction of the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center. This facility will replace the aging Fiveash water treatment facility, significantly enhancing the water service provided by the City of Fort Lauderdale to our residents. The cutting-edge facility is being built to ensure residents receive the highest quality water, meeting rigorous standards for cleanliness and clarity. The commission believes that investing in this state-of-the-art infrastructure will provide long-term benefits to the entire community.
Over the next few years Fort Lauderdale residents will experience additional increases in water and wastewater prices. In FY24, the combined water and wastewater rates will rise by 14%, followed by an additional 14.4% increase in FY25. The subsequent years will see smaller increases, with a 9% increase in FY 26 and 6.7% increase in FY 27. After the series of increases, rates will be about 50% higher than current rates.
Public Hearings on these increases will be held on September 5 and 13, 2023.
These rate increases will help fund clean, clear water and introduce modern technology to help monitor and manage water usage effectively. Residents will get access to advanced automated water meter technology. This will allow residents to monitor water usage in real-time, potentially enabling better control and conservation.
One of the most valuable features of automated water meter technology is its ability to detect leaks promptly. In the event of a leak, homeowners can receive immediate notifications, allowing them to take action and mitigate potential damage and expense.
The city hopes these technological advancements will empower residents to make smarter decisions about water usage while promoting a more sustainable future for the community.