Vero Beach water and sewer rates went up October 1. Here is what your bill looks like through 2029.

If your water bill comes from the City of Vero Beach, it changed on October 1. The Vero Beach City Council and the city's Utility Commission both unanimously approved a four-year schedule of water and sewer rate increases. The first step took effect October 1, 2026, and another increase arrives every October through 2029.

How much each part of the bill goes up

The increases are not the same for water and sewer. Sewer, which the city calls wastewater, rises the fastest because that is where most of the construction money is going.

• Water: up 10% this year, 7.5% next October, then 5% in each of the following two years.
• Wastewater (sewer): up 15% this year and 15% again next October, then 10% and finally 5%.
• Reclaimed water (used for irrigation in some neighborhoods): up 25% this year and 25% next year, then 5% a year.

After the first increases, the typical Vero Beach bill reaches about $107.30 a month. For comparison, the same usage costs $95.76 with Fort Pierce Utilities Authority and $67.70 with Indian River County's sewer service, according to figures presented to the city.

Why the city raised rates

The money pays for a $217 million capital improvement program through 2030. The centerpiece is a new Water Reclamation Facility, the plant that treats the city's sewage, which is under construction. The city plans to borrow $125 million in revenue bonds in February 2027 and has lined up $42.3 million in grants.

The bond amount is $45 million more than a 2022 rate study expected, because construction costs climbed. The city's yearly operating costs are also rising, from about $25.6 million in fiscal year 2026 to more than $32 million by 2030.

Still on septic? There is a new monthly charge

Homes that get city water, still use a septic tank, and have a public sewer line nearby will be billed a new Wastewater Readiness-to-Serve Charge. It starts at $40.85 a month and rises to $54.24 a month by October 2029. The city must give property owners 75 days' notice before the charge begins.

That charge is separate from a 2023 state law that requires most septic systems in the Indian River Lagoon area to connect to sewer or be upgraded by July 1, 2030. If you are on septic, read our explainer on that deadline before you decide anything.

What you can do now

1. Check who sends your water bill. Not every home with a Vero Beach address is a City of Vero Beach utility customer; some are served by Indian River County.
2. Look at your gallons, not just the dollars. Your bill shows monthly usage. If you use well over 4,000 gallons, your increase will be bigger than the typical example.
3. Find the leaks you are paying for. A running toilet or a dripping outdoor spigot can waste a surprising amount of water. Watch your meter for an hour with every tap off; if it moves, something is leaking.
4. If you irrigate with reclaimed water, check your sprinkler schedule. That rate rises the fastest of the three.