Brevard County commissioners unanimously approved moving forward with a plan to increase water and sewer hookup fees for new construction on July 7, 2026. The proposal would quadruple water connection fees and double sewer hookup fees, raising them to $8,500 and $4,500 respectively for a typical single-family home. These fees, unchanged since 1993, aim to cover $800 million in system improvements needed to meet growth and federal regulations.
The county calculates hookup fees using equivalent residential units (ERUs), which estimate the demand new connections place on the utility system. Current rates for a single-family home are $2,257 for water and $1,903 for sewer. The proposed increases are part of a process that includes a public hearing before commissioners hold a final vote. Utility staff will advertise the hearing to gather input from residents and developers.
Commission Chairman Thad Altman emphasized the need for new development to pay for infrastructure upgrades. During a discussion, Altman asked County Utility Director Ed Fontanin, "Are we looking at growth paying for growth?" Fontanin confirmed the fees are meant to ensure new construction covers its share of costs under stricter environmental standards. Existing ratepayers will continue to see annual cost-of-living adjustments to their bills, but the steep increases apply only to new connections.
County officials say the changes are legally distinct from impact fees and are required to align with federal mandates. The $800 million in upgrades would address aging infrastructure and capacity issues as the population grows. The final vote on the fee increases is expected after the public hearing, which will allow residents to voice concerns or support for the proposal.
The county has not yet set a date for the hearing, but officials say the process will follow standard procedures. Developers and homeowners associations have already begun discussing the potential financial impact, with some expressing concerns about the burden on new projects. The move comes as Brevard County faces pressure to modernize its utilities ahead of anticipated population growth over the next decade.