Groveland residents will see another increase in their water, sewer and irrigation rates beginning Oct. 1 as the city continues a multi-year effort to upgrade its aging utility infrastructure.

The latest increase is part of a rate structure approved by the Groveland City Council in 2024. The plan calls for gradual rate increases through 2027 to help fund major improvements to the city's water and wastewater systems.

Residents will begin seeing the new rates reflected on utility bills arriving in November 2026.

What is changing?

Beginning Oct. 1, the monthly residential base charge for potable water will increase to $12.15, while the sewer base charge will rise to $28.28. The base charge for residential irrigation service will increase to $6.08.

Usage charges will also increase.

For potable water, the new rates range from $2.00 per 1,000 gallons for the first 4,000 gallons to $7.98 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 12,000 gallons.

Sewer rates will increase to $6.39 per 1,000 gallons for the first 8,000 gallons, with usage above 8,000 gallons charged at $7.98 per 1,000 gallons.

Irrigation rates will range from $4.39 to $13.96 per 1,000 gallons, depending on how much water is used.

Residents who live outside Groveland's city limits but receive utility service from the city are also subject to a 25% surcharge.

Why are rates increasing?

According to the city, the additional revenue is needed to help pay for a sweeping overhaul of Groveland's utility infrastructure.

The roughly $278 million program includes construction of new water and water treatment plants, renovations to an existing plant, replacement of aging pipes and water mains, and installation of newer, more efficient equipment.

The city says many of these improvements have been needed for years. Increasing water-main breaks, aging equipment, deteriorating pipes and growing capacity concerns have increased the urgency of the work.

Groveland also says its tiered water-rate structure helped the city qualify for more than $70 million in state grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to help offset the cost of the infrastructure improvements.

One more increase is planned

The Oct. 1, 2026 increase is not the final adjustment.

According to the city's approved rate schedule, another planned increase will take effect Oct. 1, 2027. That will be the final increase in the current multi-year rate plan.

For Groveland residents, the changes mean utility bills will continue to rise, but the city says the increases are necessary to fund infrastructure improvements designed to provide more reliable water and wastewater service as the community continues to grow.

The Clermont Current will continue to follow utility, infrastructure and development projects affecting residents throughout South Lake County.