Pasco County Utilities customers in Wesley Chapel will pay $4.33 more per month on their water and sewer bills starting Thursday, Oct. 1.

The average residential customer using 6,000 gallons a month will see their combined bill rise from $91.99 to $96.32, according to the county's rates page. The increase covers water, wastewater and reclaimed water services.

Every Pasco Utilities customer is affected.

The hike is year two of a four-year rate schedule that took effect Oct. 1, 2025, after the Pasco County Commission approved a Cost-of-Service Rate Study. That first year carried a 3.75% adjustment. The schedule runs through Sept. 30, 2029, with annual increases each October, according to a county press release distributed through the East Pasco Chamber.

Under the new rates, the water base charge for a standard residential meter is $11.52 per month. The sewer base charge is $24.53. Reclaimed water customers paying for irrigation service will see their base rate climb to $13.26, up from $12.66.

A large share of the revenue is earmarked for expanding the Wesley Center Wastewater Treatment Facility at 7501 Boyette Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. The plant is slated to grow from 6.0 million gallons per day to 9.0 million gallons per day, Wesley Chapel Community Website reported. A second expansion in Land O' Lakes is also part of the plan. Planning documents tied to the rate study put combined capital costs for both projects at roughly $403 million, the site reported.

Pasco County's public information office said on X on Sept. 21 that the county is focused on keeping utility rates affordable while maintaining service quality.

Ralph Lair, the county's intergovernmental affairs officer, said in the press release that revenues from rates and fees support the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the county's water, wastewater and reclaimed water systems.

The rate changes do not apply to residents on private wells or other water systems.

Bulk water rates for wholesale customers will change Dec. 1. The next retail rate adjustment is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2027. A full list of current rates and fees is available at PascoCountyUtilities.com.