WATER AND WASTEWATER RETAIL RATE ADJUSTMENT REPORT

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

Miami-Dade County is considering 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 federal and state agencies, the Ocean Outfall Legislation Program, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) implementation, and other regulatory obligations. 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, including those under Professional Service Agreements (PSAs) with firms like Jacobs Engineering, AECOM, and Hazen and Sawyer, would be cancelled, potentially leading to penalties, claims, and service disruptions. The report lists numerous specific projects and associated PSAs that would be immediately cancelled if the rate adjustment is not approved. The County aims to maintain compliance with regulatory mandates and avoid financial penalties and credit rating downgrades. Public comment is not detailed in this document.