WATER AND WASTEWATER RETAIL RATE ADJUSTMENT REPORT

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · report

Miami-Dade County is proposing a 6% water and wastewater retail rate adjustment for the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD), effective October 1, 2026. This adjustment is necessary to fund critical infrastructure improvements required by a Consent Decree with the United States, the State of Florida, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as the State-mandated Ocean Outfall Legislation Program, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Implementation, and other regulatory requirements. The proposed increase is projected to generate approximately $65.6 million in annual revenue, supporting approximately $435 million in bond financing for projects. Without this adjustment, critical projects would be suspended, potentially leading to penalties, increased future costs, and violations of federal orders. The document lists numerous Professional Service Agreements (PSAs) and construction projects that would be cancelled or significantly reduced if the rate adjustment is not approved, impacting contractors such as Jacobs Engineering, AECOM, Hazen and Sawyer, Black and Veatch, and others. The proposed adjustment is intended to maintain compliance, protect infrastructure, and ensure financial stability for WASD. The decision on this matter is pending before the Board of County Commissioners.