DELTONA, Fla. – Dozens of Deltona residents are raising concerns over rising water bills, some reporting dramatic spikes in recent months.
After posting about the issue on Facebook, News 6 received nearly 300 messages, emails, and comments from frustrated residents, prompting a closer look into what may be behind the increase.
Jose, a longtime resident, said his bill has climbed sharply.
“I’ve been a resident here for almost 40 years, and the water bill has increased drastically in the last year and a half,” he said. “I’m on a fixed income, and a lot of people out there just can’t afford it anymore.”
City officials say they understand the concern, but say there are often specific causes that can be addressed.
“If someone gets a bill that they think is higher than normal, the first thing I’d do is reach out to the city,” said Catherine Barker, communications director for the city of Deltona. “There are usually three main culprits: Irrigation systems, running toilets, or water softeners that aren’t balanced properly.”
Deltona serves approximately 38,000 water customers, but only 8,000 of them are connected to the city’s sewer system. That small group is footing the cost of wastewater treatment, driving up rates.
“That’s part of why our sewer rates are higher than average,” Barker explained.
To help residents better monitor their usage and avoid costly surprises, Deltona is rolling out new smart meters. As of this Friday, every home will have one installed. The meters, paired with a new app launching in September, will let customers track water use in real time, receive alerts about possible leaks, and better understand how and when water is being used.
“If you feel like there’s a problem with your bill, contact the city. We’ll do our best to figure out what’s going on and help prevent it from happening again,” Barker said.
City officials are urging residents who have questions or concerns to bring their bill to city hall for a full breakdown.
The focus now, they say, is on transparency, accuracy, and conservation.