Hernando County Utility District Rates & Charges

Section 2: Utility Deposits

Unless waived, as provided for in County Code, utility deposits for water and wastewater service shall be as follows:

A. Residential Property Owner (per meter):

$60 - Water only
$235 - Water and wastewater

B. Non-residential/Tenant/Commercial:

Including but not limited to, multiple habitants under a master Meter; lease based occupants, apartment, single family homes used as a rental unit service stations; movie theaters; drugstores; cafeterias and restaurants; industrial users; and any other commercial/non-residential users shall pay a deposit of:

C. Failure to pay:

Failure to pay usage charges may result in a deposit increase to three times the average monthly usage charge.

Section 3: Tap-In Fees and Charges 

A. Water Tap-In Fees:

Charges shall be sufficient to cover the costs of labor, travel and/or materials, including, but not limited to, the original or future replacement meter, meter boxes, corporation stop, valves, appurtenances, and long-term maintenance or replacement thereof.

B. Additional Fees

May be charged based on special circumstances, such as when roads will be crossed and/or when lines will be extended.

Section 4: Water and Wastewater Service Rates

All customers shall pay the applicable base charge plus the minimum monthly usage charge (regardless of consumption) for water and/or wastewater utility service calculated according to meter size listed on the following tables:

A. Water Rates (1. Residential Class):

Residential Class: Usage Rate (Gallons): per 1,000 gallons of Metered water consumption.

A. Water Rate Structure (2. Commercial Class):

Commercial Class: Usage Rate (Gallons): per 1,000 gallons of Metered water consumption.

• Download More Commercial Rate Tables

B. Wastewater Rate Structure (1. Residential Class):

Residential Class: 10,000* Monthly Gallon Cap
*Note: See Resolution 2012-21 Res Sewer Cap Increase

Usage Rate (Gallons): per 1,000 gallons of Metered water consumption.

B. Wastewater Rate Structure (2. Commercial Class):

Commercial Class: No cap on consumption.

Usage Rate (Gallons): per 1,000 gallons of Metered water consumption.

C. Irrigation Rates (1. Residential Class):

Residential Class: Residential Irrigation Meters Prohibited Due to a concern for conserving Florida's drinking water supply, current ordinance prohibits residential water meters solely for irrigation purposes, unless such meters were prepaid and in place on certain property prior to February 17, 2004. New residential water meters solely for irrigation purposes are now prohibited in all service areas.

C. Irrigation Rates (2. Commercial Irrigation Class):

Commercial Irrigation Class: Usage Rate (Gallons): per 1,000 gallons of Metered water consumption.

• Download More Commercial Rate Tables

[1] For purposes of billing, the customers Meter size is used in conjunction with the AWWA (American Water Works Association) Meter factor to calculate the minimum monthly billing charge.
[2] Consumption blocks to be applied on a per Meter size/AWWA Meter factor.

Section 5: Other Fees and Charges

A. Miscellaneous Charges

A service fee shall be charged for all customer services, including, but not limited to, account transfers and/or account reinstatements, scheduling service disconnection for delinquent charges regardless whether service is disconnected prior to payment, additional service trips to a location due to customer error, and service trips to repair damage to District property caused by the customer or other unauthorized persons performing work for or on behalf of the customer. The fee shall be doubles for service trips on workdays after 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays, and County Holidays.

• Trip charge (including turn on/off and premise visits) on workday's from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: $50
• Trip charge (including turn on/off and premise visits) on workdays after 3:30 p.m., weekends and County holidays: $100
• Trip charge to turn off meter for emergency leak from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (customer request): $0
• Establish new account (initiate service) $50
• Trip charge to turn off meter for emergency leak after 3:30 p.m., weekends and holidays: $0
• Trip charge to turn on meter after repair of emergency leak on workdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: $50
• Trip charge to turn on meter after repair of emergency leak on workdays after 3:30 p.m., weekends and holidays: $100
• Disconnect due to delinquent or non-payment of services $20
• Reconnect due to delinquent or non-payment of services before 3:30: $50. After 3:30 p.m., weekends and holidays: $100
• Backflow testing and/or inspection: $200
• Meter Download at the customer request: $55 (no charge for inaccurate meter)
• Installation of lockbox on meter at the customer's request: $45
• Meter certification bench test: (no charge for inaccurate meter) $110
• Meter tampering, (broken meter, cap, lock or any other damage): $150 for initial; $250 for subsequent
• Removal of meter or pull meter up to 1" (delinquent or unauthorized use): $100
• Return trip due to obstruction, customer negligence or at customer request, on workday's from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (each attempt): $50
• Return trip due to obstruction, customer negligence or at customer request, on workday's after 3:30 p.m.: $100
• Septage dumping - delinquent and account reinstatement: $150
• Returned mail - per piece returned (not including final statements): $5 
• Lien filing fee: $80
• Release of Lien filing fee: $50
• Late fee (if bill remains unpaid next month): 5% of unpaid balance
• Property Debt Search, per parcel $15

B. Septic/Chemical Toilet User Fees.

A fee of $105.00 per 1,000 gallons shall be charged to all commercial users for treating septic and/or chemical toilet waste.

Section 6: Temporary Water Service Rates, Fees and Charges:

A. Temporary Water Service Deposit. Deposits for temporary water service are the same as in Section 1. However, for one-time bulk water purchases, the deposit shall equal the total of the estimated bulk water purchase.

Deposits for temporary hydrant Meters shall be $2,650.00 or the actual replacement cost of the hydrant Meter assembly, whichever is greater.

Deposits for temporary service accounts shall not be refunded until the customer's final bill. At such time, the deposit is applied against the account balance and charges for damage and/or loss, and any deposit (credit) balance is refunded to the customer.

B. Temporary Water Service Charge: A non-refundable service charge (cost of locating the water line, installation of temporary Meter, and establishing the utility account) for temporary water service is $150. A service charge to move or relocate the meter shall be $65.00.

C. Temporary Water Service Rate: The charge for temporary water service is based on a usage charge for total consumption plus a minimum monthly charge.

D. Temporary Water Monthly Rate (Minimum Charge):

• Hydrant Meter 2” or Larger:  $70.00 per month and $2.10 per 1,000 gallons.

Water and Sewer Connection Fees (Resolution 2024-155)

Water and Sewer Connection Fees will be assessed based upon the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Equivalency Factors as shown in table below:

Upon selection of the appropriately sized water Meter necessary to provide the level of service desired by the customer, the connection fees for water and/or sewer service, as indicated above, will become due and payable. If in the future the customer desires to increase the Meter size, additional connection fees will be due, allowing credit for that amount previously paid. There will be no refunds for Meter downsizing.

Section 7. Returned Check Charges and Rejected Electronic Fund Transfer Charges. 

Section 28-250 of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances provides for assessment of penalties and charges as established by Florida Statutes for all returned checks and all electronic fund transfer payments rejected by the bank.

Section 8. Annual Review and Adjustments.

The Hernando County Utilities Department shall annually review the rates, fees and charges established in accordance with the requirements of outstanding bond resolutions and covenants and the costs and expenses of the water and wastewater utility system. A rate study and analysis shall be conducted prior to the expiration of the 2028 Fiscal Year, unless otherwise provided by the Board. If no rate study and analysis is conducted, the water and wastewater rates shall be adjusted each fiscal year beginning October 1, 2028, in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment approved by the Florida Public Service Commission. 

Section 9. Repealing and superseding prior and conflicting resolutions.

All prior and conflicting resolutions or parts of resolutions, including but not limited to, Resolution No. 19-151 and Section 7 of Resolution No. 2009-121, shall be repealed, rescinded, superseded, and replaced by this Resolution effective October 1, 2024.

Effective Date

This Resolution shall take effect upon adoption.

• Resolution 2019-151

Hernando County Utility District Rates & Charges

Damage Charges

• Operations Rates Policy