Editor’s Note: The Sun Sentinel alerted Fort Lauderdale residents as far back as 2022 and again last September about “sticker shock” over a major water rate increase. A rate hike of 22.5% took effect on Oct. 1 along with a 9% jump in sewer rates, which appear on water bills. But some ratepayers were caught by surprise and are livid, while others flatly doubt the accuracy of their bills. We asked the city of Fort Lauderdale for a response on Feb. 12 and have not heard back.
My wife and are residents of Fort Lauderdale, having purchased our home in 1973.
Recently, we have had successive increases in our water bills that make no sense to us. They are 30% increases. The same people have lived in our home since 1973 with no increase in water usage — and no, we do not have a water leak, which is the city Water Department’s standard answer for increased billings.
My wife Jean sent out an email on this topic on a neighborhood blog. The answers, in the hundreds, from residents present a clear picture: Water billings to all residents are out of control and do not follow a percentage across-the-board increase. Many increases appear random with no basis at all.
Jean and I sent an email to City Commissioner Ben Sorensen, which explains in detail how our water bill increased almost 30% in a short time. I have attached our February water bill.
If utility billing increased only for us, I would not call that endemic, but it is happening throughout the city — and frankly, with the city’s spending habits, exorbitant water bills are hurting many residents. I hope that some investigation of the city’s billing practices can shed light on this problem and prompt the city to take remedial action.
Robert E. Ferris Jr., Fort Lauderdale
A plea for help
The city of Fort Lauderdale has been no help in addressing water bill anomalies costing local residents a lot of money. I live in Sailboat Bend and work at the Las Olas Boulevard campus of FAU.
In May 2024, my bill was $105 — normal. I left town for summer and turned off the water, with one irrigation point between the house and the street left on. My June bill was $227; in July, $554 (extremely high)!
I emailed the city; no response. I called a leak detection business for an inspection; no leaks were detected. That cost $79. In September, the city replaced the meter and charged me for it. My costs are $570 in overpayment, a $16 meter test, a $79 leak test and a new meter for almost $700.
I do not use excessive water, as evidenced by 25 years of billing. There’s one single drip irrigation system in part of the front yard. I do no power washing with normal showering and dishwashing for one person. I track my meter weekly. No leaks are evident.
Stephanie Cunningham, Fort Lauderdale
Residents deserve better
The city of Fort Lauderdale has more than doubled our water bill. This is probably due to the city trying to repair or add to the municipal water infrastructure. No notice or explanation was provided by the city. They need to treat their residents better than this.
Paul Flesh, Fort Lauderdale
Another set of eyes
Something is not quite right in the Fort Lauderdale water billing department. On the app Nextdoor, I read about complaints and issues with water bills of our citizens. The meter reading is very suspicious — if a meter reader shows up.
It was observed that one meter was covered with dirt and debris so it could not be read, but nevertheless the meter reader got a reading. I think there needs to be a thorough investigation of this entity, as their practices require an outside agency to investigate what’s going on there.
Howard Rosen, Fort Lauderdale
Editor’s Note: The city has a detailed explanation of rate increases on its website at fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7623/16. Numerous residents have also written to city commissioners. Here’s a recent example.
‘Completely unacceptable’
After receiving a very unusually high water bill (near $700) I wrote to your office. I had a professional plumber conduct an extensive leak detection test on my property to include all plumbing and irrigation. This cost another $300. Their determination was, no leak was found.
I have had my sprinkler system completely repaired. A company tunneled under my house and replaced the old plumbing and cast iron pipes. After the $700 water bill in October, I received a normal $260 water bill. Now, for no reason, with absolutely no changes in usage, I received a $640 water bill. There’s something wrong with the calculation at this point of my usage/sewage waste.
I have lived here since 2017 and never had an issue. This matter needs to be investigated. I have done everything as a homeowner on my part and the city at this point is being negligent.
I am trying to resolve this matter in a civil manner but am getting nowhere with no explanation as to what’s going on. This is completely unacceptable.
Jason Babik, Fort Lauderdale
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