Water and Sewer Expansion Authority
Important Note: The WSEA was formally dissolved on June 30, 2011, pursuant to 2011-133-E. For questions about septic tank phase, please call 630-CITY.
What is the WSEA?
The WSEA, established in 2003 as an independent authority by the City of Jacksonville, was created to provide property owners with an opportunity to finance water and/or sewer infrastructure in their existing developed neighborhoods on a voluntary basis.
In new neighborhoods, developers install the infrastructure as the homes are built and pass those costs on to the new homebuyers. As the municipally owned electric, water and sewer authority in the county, JEA then takes over the maintenance of those water and sewer lines. In many of Jacksonville's older neighborhoods, developers chose not to install water or sewer infrastructure, and JEA's water and sewer rates do not provide enough funds to install lines in existing neighborhoods.
How does it work?
The WSEA offers an alternative for financing by allowing the capital costs (the cost of installing water and/or sewer lines) to be financed by the homeowner over a number of years. Homeowners who participate in the program are assessed an additional charge on monthly utility billings to pay for capital costs. A project must have at least 50 percent participation to be considered cost feasible to go to construction. New customers will receive monthly bills for regular water and sewer service charges, as well as a capital charge to pay for the infrastructure over a 20– to– 30-year period. Only those participants in a neighborhood who want the services will be customers and be charged the monthly service and capital charges. Those who choose not to participate may defer their connection to the system. However, if their septic tank system fails or they sell their property, the deferment is no longer valid. The homeowner will then be responsible for a lump sum payment at the time of connection.
The city will contribute 30 percent of the total costs for the first 500 residential customers. The WSEA will also undertake commercial or non-profit business projects, but there will be no city cost participation for those customers.
WSEA
21 W Church Street, T-16
Jacksonville, FL 32202
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