St. Petersburg Man Pays More for 'Savings' on Water Bill After Rate Changes

Irrigation Water Service Costs Increase

• 💡 A St. Petersburg resident, Warren Bucknam, invested nearly $2,000 in a city-offered "irrigation only" water service, expecting to save money on his water bills.
• 🎯 This service installs a second water meter specifically for sprinklers, which is not charged for sewer usage, aiming for monthly savings.
• ⚠️ Bucknam's water bill nearly doubled to $148 last fall, despite consistent usage, because the city council passed a water rate hike.

Unexpected Rate Hikes and Lack of Communication

• 📈 Usage on the irrigation-only system increased by a minimum of 143% after the city council's September rate hike.
• ❓ Bucknam expressed frustration, stating he is now losing money by having the meter and that the city did not communicate this change.
• 🗣️ Attempts to get answers from the city were met with unresponsiveness, with many city council members not commenting or claiming ignorance about the specific irrigation rate changes.

City's Stated Rationale vs. Resident Experience

• 💧 The city stated that water rate changes were implemented with a focus on conservation, aiming to bill lower users at a lower rate than higher users.
• 🧩 Bucknam feels stuck with the opposite of the service's intended purpose, as the cost savings have been replaced by increased expenses.
• 📢 This story highlights a viewer-submitted concern about high water bills and the impact of city service rate changes on residents.