The two most common reasons for high consumption are leaks and irrigation. Once water passes through your water meter, the homeowner becomes responsible for the water usage. The City has no way of knowing specifically how the water was consumed. Other potential sources of high consumption include: pressure cleaning, filling a pool, washing vehicles, laundry loads, long showers, new sod or plants.
Water Services
Water and Wastewater Services Update
The City of Coconut Creek (City) does not operate its own water or wastewater treatment plants. Instead, the City contracts with Broward County (County) to purchase water at a reduced sale-for-resale rate and to provide wastewater transmission and treatment services. While the County handles treatment, the City is responsible for installing, maintaining, and upgrading the water and wastewater infrastructure within its service area.
The City’s water infrastructure includes two storage tanks, treatment booster stations, 286 miles of pipes, 1,900 fire hydrants, 5,500 valves, service lines, and other components that distribute potable water treated by the County to homes and businesses. Our wastewater infrastructure includes 241 miles of gravity sewer pipes, 3,818 access structures, 59 lift stations, force mains, and additional components that transport wastewater to the County’s treatment plant.
A significant portion of our annual expenses goes toward purchasing water from Broward County, paying for wastewater transmission and treatment, and investing in our capital infrastructure. While the City manages its own capital costs, Broward County sets the water and wastewater rates based on usage and reserved capacity. These rates fund operating expenses, long-term capital investments, and debt service for maintaining the County’s treatment plants.
In recent years, rising inflation and sharp increases in construction costs have created financial challenges in maintaining our water and wastewater systems. In FY2025, Broward County experienced notable cost increases, including:
- 10% increase in sewer sludge disposal
- 13% increase in electricity costs
- 18% to 119% increase in chemical costs
Despite these rising costs, partnering with Broward County remains the most cost-effective option—building and operating our own treatment facilities would be significantly more expensive.
At the same time, the City must continue maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure to ensure reliable service while upholding high-quality standards. As our systems age, proactive investment is essential to avoid expensive or catastrophic failures. Ongoing construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects help us sustain efficient operations and minimize long-term costs.
To manage rising costs and ensure continued investment in local infrastructure, the City is recommending up to a 9% water and wastewater rate increase effective June 1, 2025, which is in line with the increase from Broward County. Their average 9% increase took effect this past October. The recommended adjustment will help the City maintain reliable service, meet future regulatory requirements, and avoid larger rate increases down the road.
City Affiliation Notice: Paymentus and PayPal
Payments can be made at the City's payment portal.
The City is only affiliated with two third-party payment agencies, Paymentus and PayPal.
Payments can be made at the City's payment portal.
Water Bill Calculator
See how a change in consumption affects your billed charges. Begin by accessing your account online, then navigating to the Water Bill Calculator at the bottom of your account screen. Enter consumption amount (per 1,000) to view an example of your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
2. What can you do if you have a high water bill?
Please call our office at 954-973-6732. We are happy to review your water consumption with you and can arrange to have one of our technicians check your meter.
3. How do I know if I have a leak?
- Increased water consumption may sometimes be an indicator that you have a leak. If you have all of the water turned off in your home, you can go to your meter and check to see if your meter is spinning. If it is, it is likely you have a leak and will need to call a plumber. If you irrigate, please check your sprinklers while they are on. Please search for broken sprinkler heads as they can also be a reason for water loss.
- If you do find a leak, you can provide proof of repair to our office, and we will apply a leak adjustment to your account to help provide relief on your water bill.
4. Does the City check for leaks?
The City does review reporting to analyze high consumption or unusual consumption. Technicians are sent to your home to check the meter box and meter, and will inform customers of any leaks.
5. I don't have a leak, and my water bill is still high. What are some ways I can reduce water consumption?
The City cannot know exactly how the water was consumed, but it can help to identify certain factors that typically lead to high consumption. Consider these factors: Did you water your grass? Did you refill your pool? Have you been home more often? Have you had guests? Have you had any work done on your home? Many of these result in high water consumption and are often overlooked.
Below is a list of ways to reduce your water consumption:
- Fixing leaks and replacing old plumbing fixtures
- Changing leaky toilets [TIP: To determine if there is a leak, use food coloring in the tank. If color appears in the bowl, there is a leak.]
- Installing displacement devices in toilets. They fit easily inside your toilet tank and reduce the volume of water used in each flush.
- Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.
- Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen food.
- Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictions.
6. How do I know if my meter is working? Do meters get old?
You can test to see if your meter is working by determining if it is registering water. If you turn on your hose or your faucet and go out to your meter box, you will see a dial spinning. As long as your dial is spinning, your meter is functioning properly. Meters do age. However, they have long lives and are meant to withstand the elements. Additionally, as meters age, they slow down, registering less usage.
7. Where is my meter box located?
Most meter boxes are located in the ground normally at the edge of your property line. The meter will have a metal gray, dark green, or black lid.
8. How do I read my meter?
- First, ensure that you are not using any water in the house. For example, your washing machine and dishwasher are not running, faucets are off, etc.
- Then, locate your meter box, remove the lid and locate the dial on the meter inside the meter box. It will look similar to the face of a wrist face.
- Last, check if the indicator on the register dial is turning at this time. If so, there may be a leak.
- To isolate whether the leak is inside or outside your home, turn off the house valve and if the dial stops turning, the problem would be inside the house. If the dial continues to run, the problem would be outside between the meter and the house valve.
9. Does the City use smart/electronic meters to obtain reads?
No, the City uses touch read meters that require a physical visit to your meter box monthly.
10. When is my payment due?
Payment is due within 20 days of the statement date. If payment has not been received timely, a delinquent notice is sent on the next bill with a turn off date for nonpayment. The City makes courtesy calls on past due amounts prior to disconnection.
11. How long is my billing period? Do I get billed for more than one period on a water bill?
The billing period ranges from 29-31 days on average. The City does not bill customers for more than one billing period each month. Your meter is read month-to-month and there is never a delay or overlap in the service periods.
12. Does the City use estimates to bill their customers?
The City does not use estimates to arrive at water consumption for monthly billing. A meter reader physically visits your meter box monthly.
13. Is solid waste or bulk pickup included on my water bill?
No, you do not incur solid waste or bulk pickup charges on your water bill. Solid waste charges for single family homes are included in your property tax bill.
14. How can I make my payment?
The City offers the following methods to make payments:
- Pay with our automated line 24/7 by calling toll free 1-833-418-0066
- Pay online using our web platform by CLICKING HERE using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, e-check, or Pay-by-Text.
- Pay by automatic debit from your bank once you have applied for the Automatic Funds Transfer (AFT) program.
- Place payment and bill stub in the drop box in front of City Hall
- Pay direct to Cashier at City Hall: 4800 West Copans Road, in the form of cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express
- Mail-In Water Bill Payments should be sent to: City of Coconut Creek PO Box 100325, Columbia, SC 29202-3325 [Effective since 11/22/21].
15. How often should I water my lawn?
There are currently water restrictions on irrigation. Please visit: Water Restrictions to learn more about how often you should you be watering your lawn.