Polk County Adopts Changes to Utility Rate Structure

Published: August 7, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2026) — The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved changes to its utility rate structure at a recent public hearing. The changes are aligned with recommendations from a rate sufficiency study that was completed earlier this year.

Commissioners established the new septage processing fee of 15 cents per gallon for residential haulers disposing at the Septage Receiving Leachate Treatment Facility. The facility is expected to open this Fall.

Reclaimed water rates will increase through a phased approach to be better aligned with the potable water rates currently charged by the county. Beginning Oct. 1, the current rate will increase by 50%. On April 1, 2027, the rate will increase again by 33%. Starting Oct. 1, 2027, the rate will then be indexed by 6% each Oct. 1 through 2030.

“Previously, reclaimed water use was an issue of disposal,” said Tamara Richardson, Polk County Utilities director. “Now, we recognize that reclaimed water is just as valuable of a resource as potable water and we want to conserve it accordingly.”

Water and wastewater connection fees will also increase. Connection fees are one-time fees that are paid when a property is first connected to the water and/or wastewater system. For single-family detached units, the water connection fee will be raised from $3,038 to $3,989, and the wastewater connection fee will be raised from $6,169 to $7,460.

The surcharge assessed on water usage to supplement the alternative water supply projects will increase by 25 cents per 1,000 gallons every year through October 2030.

Potable water and wastewater rates will continue to index at 6% each Oct. 1 through 2030. This is a two-year extension to the original indexing plan first approved by the board in 2024.

For a complete listing of rates and fees, visit www.polkfl.gov/services/utilities/rates-and-fees, or call Polk County Utilities Customer Service at (863) 298-4100 for more information.

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