In a significant move for residents and businesses, Hialeah's Mayor, Bryan Calvo, announced on Tuesday a 25% reduction in water and sewer rates, a relief that hasn't been seen in recent memory.
Effective from October 1, this reduction will apply to those consuming up to 10,000 gallons per billing cycle. City officials estimate that approximately 30,000 accounts will benefit from this change.
"Today, we're announcing that starting October 1, Hialeah's water and sewer bills will decrease," stated Calvo during a press conference.
He elaborated, "I've proposed a 25% cut in water and sewer rates for eligible households and businesses consuming up to 10,000 gallons monthly. Additional assistance will be provided to qualifying seniors."
The mayor acknowledged inheriting a $30 million deficit in the water department but credited the recovery of overdue accounts for stabilizing finances sufficiently to implement this reduction.
"We've managed to reclaim millions from unpaid water bills. Thanks to all these efforts, we can make today's announcement," Calvo asserted.
This development follows years of resident complaints about skyrocketing and unpredictable bills.
The tiered rate structure remains intact, charging higher rates to those using more water.
An average Hialeah household uses about 5,250 gallons monthly. With the reduction, a typical bill of around $78 could drop to about $62, according to city estimates.
Calvo pledged that this change would position Hialeah among the lowest-cost cities for this service in Miami-Dade.
Special Senior Discount Program
Beyond the general reduction, the city introduced a targeted discount for low-income seniors: a 50% cut on water and sewer services for those aged 65 or older who own their homes with a city water account and individual meter, having both the Homestead and Senior exemptions approved, with a maximum household income of $38,686.
Participants in this program will receive an extra 25% credit on top of the general reduction.
"This is exactly what I promised the people of Hialeah. We crunched the numbers and found a way to provide meaningful relief," Calvo emphasized.
Hialeah is also progressing with the installation of new water meters for more accurate readings, currently evaluating four different companies to decide on a permanent system.
In September 2025, the City Council had removed the franchise fee from water and sewer bills—a historical surcharge that inflated household payments—resulting in an average annual saving of $61 per household and a $3.7 million annual revenue loss for the city's general fund.
Just a month prior, the previous administration had forecasted a 15% to 17% increase in water bills due to a Miami-Dade County rate adjustment.
Calvo, who won the mayoral race in November 2025 with 53% of the vote, took office in January. Reducing water costs was one of his administration's primary promises from the outset.
Hialeah Water and Sewer Rate Reduction FAQs
Who will benefit from the water and sewer rate reduction in Hialeah?
Approximately 30,000 residential and commercial accounts that consume up to 10,000 gallons per billing cycle will benefit from the 25% rate reduction.
When will the new water and sewer rates take effect in Hialeah?
The new rates will be effective starting October 1.
What is the special discount program for seniors in Hialeah?
Qualified seniors aged 65 or older, who own their homes with a city water account and individual meter, can receive a 50% discount on water and sewer services. Additionally, they will receive an extra 25% credit beyond the general reduction.