Sample Water Bill Explained

The City of Tampa billing system is set up in such a way that the majority of our customer's receive an "estimated" bill one month then the next month an "actual" read bill. Below is an example of an "estimated" bill.

 Mouse over the colored portions to read explanations.

ACTUAL METER READING bill. Field will be blank during an ESTIMATED bill.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> ESTIMATE BILL with monthly water charges based on average usage over the past year. The next bill will reflect the difference in charges based on actual usage over the two month period.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Reclaimed Water Charges for reclaimed water use.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Water charge is the cost of water used within the residential tier 0, of 10 units bimonthly. All usage over the threshold will be charged according to Tier usage.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Customer Classification Is determined by land use and/or the peak flow rates for commercial and industrial customers.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Tampa Bay Water Pass-Through A surcharge to recover the difference between what the City pays to purchase additional water from Tampa Bay Water to meet customer needs and what it normally costs us to produce water at our own facilities. The surcharge is only passed on during times when the City has had to buy water from Tampa Bay Water. .')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Usage History This displays the actual billing units used in previous bimonthly meter reading cycles.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)"> Important Customer Information Important messages and information on water restrictions, holiday schedules, and programs available to City customers.')" onmouseout="writetxt(0)">

Water Bill Explained 

Billing Units: 1 billing unit = 100 cubic feet (ccf) of water (748 gallons of water)

Estimated vs. Actual Meter Reading Bill: Most meters are read bimonthly (every two months), but billing occurs monthly. One is a water usage ESTIMATE, which is an estimate based on the past year of consumption.  One is the ACTUAL METER READING for the previous two months of water usage. The month's payment is a credit toward the total bimonthly water usage charge. You can tell whether your bill is an estimated bill or a actual meter reading bill by looking in the Meter Reading field (yellow box above) if there is a number in there than you have a Meter Reading bill. If the Meter Reading field is blank and you have an "A" next to units used number than you have an ESTIMATED bill.

Usage Threshold: Are based on the average bi-monthly water usage throughout our service area, and are expressed in ccf units. Thresholds are averaged according to customer class.