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Water Billing

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1. Why is my water consumption high?

Once water passes through your water meter, the homeowner becomes responsible for the water. The City has no way of knowing specifically how the water was consumed. The average family of four uses 6,000 gallons of water a month for indoor use. Irrigation consumes 1,000 gallons every 10 minutes. The amount of irrigation depends on the frequency and length of time of watering. Lawns only need watering once every three days in the summer and once every seven days in the winter. Rain can reduce the number of times lawns need to be watered.

There are generally two reasons for ongoing high consumption: leaks and irrigation.

Leaks:
There are many types of leaks: toilet leaks, leaky faucet, pipe leaks within walls or under the house foundation, leaks in outside water lines, pool leaks and leaks in the irrigation line including broken sprinkler heads. Leaks can start as minor and unnoticeable and gradually become larger over time.

***LEAKS DO NOT GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN, AND REQUIRE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION***

Consumption that spikes temporarily is probably caused by other types of consumption, such as pressure cleaning or filling a pool.

Irrigation:
Irrigation consumes significant amounts of water. Lawns do not require to be watered every day.

Most lawns need about 3/4 to 1 inch of water once per week, or once every two weeks when the weather cools. ¾ to 1 inch of water will dampen the soil 6 to 8 inches, respectively.

To determine how long you must run your sprinklers to adequately water your lawn, turn on your sprinkler for 15 minutes. After 18-24 hours, find out how deep the water soaked in by digging a small hole in the watered area or using a probe (a probe will push easily through damp ground). You can also push a shovel into the ground and use it as a lever to spread the soil apart enough so that you can see several inches below the surface. Once you see how deep the water went in for 15 minutes, you can calculate how long you need to leave your sprinkler on. For example, if the soil is damp to 4 inches below the surface and your goal is to moisten the soil to a depth of 8 inches, you’ll need to leave the sprinkler on for 30 minutes (2 X 15 minutes) each time you water. **

Water can come from rain or from irrigation. Infrequent but deep watering will encourage deep rooting, healthier and hardier plants with a greater tolerance for drought.

Water early in the day, especially in warmer weather, when evaporation rates are lowest, unless water restrictions specify differently.

Also, your lawn needs watering when:

• Grass blades are folded in half
• Grass blades are blue-gray
• Your footprint remains on the lawn

Other common causes for high consumption:

• Pressure cleaning
• Filling a pool
• Washing vehicles
• Lot of laundry loads
• Long showers
• Consumer waste

2. What are the payment options?

Several different payment options are available, such as:

• Mail payments to the City’s secure payment processing center (lock box), PO Box 30318, Tampa, FL,33630-3318, using the bill payment stub and envelope. Please include the full utility account number, including the dash, on the check if a payment stub is not included with the payment.
• Mailing payments directly to the City delays the processing of payments and could result in disconnection of water service for non-payment.
• Phone Payments call (954) 543-4153 (You will need your account number).
• Direct bank drafting by filling out an ACH Debit Request form (PDF). For security reasons, do not email this form.
• Online credit card & payments from a check or savings account (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express).
• Walk-in payments at 901 N.W. 66th Avenue, Margate, FL 33063. Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, check, Visa, MasterCard credit or debit card, or money order.
• Drop box located in the east side of the parking lot. Payments received prior to 7:45 a.m. are processed the same business day.
• Cash payments are accepted at any Amscot location, 24 hours a day. An account number must be provided. .
• Most financial institutions provide an option for online bill payment. Please be aware that most payments between a bank and the City are received within 2 to 3 business days electronically, certain financial institutions process mail payments that may take 5 to 10 business days to be received.

3. How does new utility service get started?

Only the owner of the property or his/her representative can open an account for water, wastewater (sewer), and/or garbage service within the City. New Owner for more information related to documentation needed, deposits, fees, and rental property guidelines.

4. How can an account be terminated?

A water account is automatically closed whenever a buyer opens a new water account.

After the closing, the customer can provide a copy of the executed closing statement or warranty deed, or complete a Sold My Property form and fax/email it to utility billing at least 24 hours prior to the closing date to facilitate this process.

5. How do I get my water reconnected after hours?

Request for reconnection made after 6 p.m. or over the weekend will require payment of a $40 non-payment charge, past due balance, and $50 after-hour fee. To request an after-hour reconnection, please call 954-972-0828.

6. What is the information printed on my water bill?

View a document (PDF) explaining what's shown on your water bill.

7. If service has been terminated for non-payment, how can service be reconnected?

To reinstate service, the past due balance plus the $40 non-payment fee must be paid and reported to Utility Billing Division at (954) 884-3666 before 5:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Click here for additional information relating to water re-connection during business and non-business hours.

8. What happens if the utility payment is late?

Bills are considered delinquent on the 21^st day after the bill date shown on the bill. If there is a past due balance on the utility bill, a notice will print on the right side of the bill under the Date Due for Current Charges advising of the disconnection date. Payment must be received prior to 7:45 a.m. on the date of disconnection to avoid the $40 non-payment charge. The non-payment charge applies whether service is physically disconnected or not.

9. How often will a utility billed be generated?

The City bills on a monthly basis. Payment is due within 20 days of the billed date.

10. What are e-Bills?

In an effort for the City to "Go Green", e-Bills are offered. The utility bill will be emailed monthly.  Enroll in e-Bill.

11. What happens if the utility bill is not received?

The utility bill is generated around the same date every month. Call Utility Billing  at (954) 884-3666 to get your balance or access the City’s online payment center if the bill is not received. Failure to receive the utility bill will not avoid discontinuation of service.

12. Who handles water line breaks, low pressure, or sewer stoppage?

To report a water main break, low pressure or sewer stoppage, call the Department of Engineering and Environmental Services (DEES) at (954) 972-0828.

13. Can the water deposit be refunded?

All deposits may be refunded after one year of good payment history. Complete the Refund of Deposit form.

14. Who handles a water line break after hours or on weekends

To report a water main break, low pressure or sewer stoppage during non-business hours, call the Department of Engineering and Environmental Services (DEES) at (954) 972-0828.

15. Can a utility bill be credited for a pool fill?

Residential pool fills do not qualify for water credit since the residential sewer rate is a flat rate.  Commercial accounts may qualify for a sewer credit.  Commercial accounts may contact Customer Service, in writing, requesting a sewer credit.

16. Does the City ever estimate water meter readings?

Yes,  water meter readings may be estimated if the meter stops registering usage or if the meter is inaccessible, such as when a vehicle is parked over the meter; broken glass; condensation; or during times of flooding/ storm situations. On these occasions, the billing software estimates usage.  NOTE: The property owner is responsible for providing clear access to the meter.

17. How do residents investigate high consumption?

If a high water bill is received, verify the reading on the meter to the reading on the bill.  If the reading on the water meter is lower than the current reading on the utility bill, the meter may have been misread, contact Utility Billing to have the bill corrected.  The meter can also be used to determine if there is a leak.  Click here for more information regarding leak detection.

18. Can a third party be consuming my water?

If the property is vacant or the hose spigot is accessible, theft may be occurring.  The City recommends purchasing locks for all hose spigots to prevent possible theft of water.  Locks can be purchased at any hardware store.  If the property will be vacant for a long period of time, request a temporary disconnection of service at the meter. This will ensure no water usage. There is a $10 service charge and the request must be made in writing. The monthly basic availability charge for all services still applies.