BAREFOOT BAY — Residents of the Barefoot Bay Recreation District are raising serious concerns about the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD), citing poor customer service, high rates, and water quality issues.
The district’s Board of Trustees sent a letter to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners calling for immediate action to address these problems. The letter highlights ongoing complaints about unresponsive customer service, particularly regarding utility billing, meter readings, and usage disputes.
Additionally, residents report that the BBWSD operations center is not open during standard business hours.
Previously, when the system was managed by a third-party company, the operations center was required to be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Residents question why the county cannot maintain the same standard, especially given that Barefoot Bay residents pay the highest water utility rates in Brevard County.
According to the letter, BBWSD customers face a monthly base facility charge of $68.89, significantly higher than the $22.61 paid by City of Melbourne residents or the $36.62 paid by City of Cocoa residents for water and sewer services. Barefoot Bay residents and those in surrounding areas faced a 13% increase in their water bills after the Brevard County Commissioners approved a rate hike in 2022 to fund a bond repayment schedule.
The base rate will increase annually:
- 2025: $75.59
- 2026: $85.41
- 2027: $96.52
- 2028: $109.06
- 2029: Bond Paid Off
Despite bond resolutions requiring revenue for debt service and maintenance, BBWSD generated over $2.6 million in surplus revenue in 2023, well above the $954,300 debt service requirement.
The district is now questioning whether these rates can be adjusted to ease the financial strain on residents.
Some residents have invested in water coolers or subscription services to access reliable drinking water due to concerns about the quality of their tap water. The aging infrastructure of the BBWSD system, which has exceeded its life cycle, is believed to contribute to these problems.
The district has proposed merging the BBWSD plant with Brevard County’s broader infrastructure system to lower rates and improve service quality. The letter notes that BBWSD staff attended a June 3, 2024, town hall meeting organized by a local club but indicated that significant changes would require action from the County Commission.
The Barefoot Bay Recreation District is seeking dialogue with the Commission and BBWSD staff to explore potential solutions, including a merger. The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners has yet to respond publicly to the district’s requests.
