News Summary
Residents of St. Petersburg are facing ongoing challenges with unfair water bills, despite city officials’ claims that previous issues have been resolved. Cases like that of Michelle McConnell highlight the frustration caused by exorbitant bills that do not reflect actual usage. Over 7,000 adjustments have been made to water bills recently, revealing widespread billing errors. Mayor Ken Welch acknowledges the situation as a ‘perfect storm,’ leaving residents hopeful for improvements amid ongoing scrutiny from state auditors.
St. Petersburg residents continue to face significant challenges regarding unjust water bills, despite assurances from city officials that earlier billing issues had been resolved. Many residents have reported receiving exorbitant bills not reflective of their actual water usage, leading to widespread frustration and confusion.
One prominent case involves resident Michelle McConnell, who was shocked to receive a bill for $2,200 in February. This bill claimed she used over 130,000 gallons of water, a drastic increase from her usual monthly bill of only $79. To investigate the matter, a city inspector conducted a dye test on McConnell’s home to check for leaks, but no leaks were detected. A city worker who inspected her home suggested that the bill might have been a misread; however, McConnell has yet to receive a clear explanation or resolution regarding her charges.
McConnell has been contesting the bill for the past 10 months. During this time, her water service has been shut off at least once due to non-payment, and she now pays $279 each month, in addition to late fees, while awaiting reimbursement for what she claims are erroneous charges. This has been particularly challenging for her as she cares for her father, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Despite her efforts, which include spending hours on the phone and visiting city offices, McConnell has found little relief regarding this billing issue.
Data from the city shows that there were nearly 7,000 adjustments to water bills from September 2024 to February 2025, including over 3,285 adjustments due to meter over-reads. This alarming statistic indicates that billing errors are widespread within the city. In light of these issues, city administrators have employed outside auditors to investigate the problem further, although they have yet to pinpoint the root causes. Preliminary findings have confirmed some errors in the billing process.
City officials have attributed the ongoing billing issues to complications following last year’s hurricanes; however, many residents argue that their issues with the water billing system began before these storms occurred. Earlier this year, city officials took steps to improve the process of addressing erroneous bills but residents still find it insufficient. Numerous residents, similar to McConnell, have expressed dissatisfaction over their high bills, even when they are unable to occupy their homes due to flooding from previous hurricanes.
Moreover, the State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has requested access to utility records as part of a broader audit of the city’s financial operations, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the scrutiny it faces. The city council is expected to hold a meeting to discuss the water meter problems, emphasizing the need for improvements in the billing system, given the volume of ongoing complaints from residents.
Mayor Ken Welch has acknowledged the issues with the water billing system, characterizing the current state as a “perfect storm” of various factors that have contributed to the billing chaos. With no solution in sight, residents remain hopeful that their plight will soon be alleviated as city officials work to address these persistent issues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
St. Petersburg Proposes Utility Rate Increase Amid Billing Concerns
St. Petersburg Residents Shocked by Soaring Water Bills
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Residents Still Getting Giant Water Bills
- Wikipedia: Water Supply and Sanitation in the United States
- WFLA: Residents Frustrated by Water Bills
- Google Search: Water Billing Issues St. Petersburg
- St. Pete Catalyst: City Code Changes Address Abnormal Water Bills
- Google Scholar: St. Petersburg Water Bills
- WTSP: St. Pete Water Shut Off
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Supply
- WFLA: St. Pete Woman’s $48K Water Bill
- Google News: St. Petersburg Utility Bills
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
