Residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, are preparing for the resumption of late fees on water bills, scheduled to begin June 1. This decision follows a period of suspended fees implemented after numerous residents voiced concerns regarding unexpectedly high water bills.

The Root of the Problem: Unusually High Bills

The issue began when many St. Pete residents reported significant spikes in their water bills, often without any apparent cause. Jean Marie Leon, a St. Pete resident,shared his experience:

Never have been flooded,just got flooded,and I’ve got a $1,000 dollar bill.

Leon, whose typical water bill hovers around $300, was shocked to receive a bill that more than tripled. He attributed his concerns to the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, stating:

We lost our washer, our dryer…so coming from the hurricane and receiving a bill like this right after is, I would say, inconsiderate.

Leon’s situation is not unique. Hundreds of residents have reported similar issues, prompting the city to investigate.

City’s Response and Temporary Relief

In response to the widespread concerns, the city of St. Petersburg launched an investigation and adopted an ordinance allowing residents to apply for adjustments to their water bills if they experienced abnormal water consumption due to leaks, damage, or other issues. The city also temporarily suspended late fees and offered payment plans to affected residents.

Leon acknowledged the city’s efforts, noting that he was placed on a one-year payment plan. However, he emphasized that this solution may not be sufficient for everyone:

If you are on a fixed income, and you have to spend two more dollars on eggs or twenty more dollars on water bill, it’s still a big deal.

Concerns About Resuming Late Fees

With the scheduled resumption of late fees, Leon and other residents worry about the potential financial strain on those already struggling to afford their water bills. Leon believes the pause on late fees should be extended, arguing:

Look what has happened as December, life hasn’t gotten less expensive, it’s gotta more expensive. So now, if you add those late fees on top of those, and we already know some folks cannot afford to make their payments on time, it will impact many folks negatively.