Independent utility guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Sarasota County Government or Sarasota County Public Utilities. Utility rates, office schedules, payment rules, outages and service procedures can change. For a payment deadline, active outage, shutoff, safety concern or account-specific decision, verify the information with Sarasota County Public Utilities.
Sarasota County Water Department: Customer Service, Billing & Utility Help
2026 Sarasota County Public Utilities guide
Call, Pay, Start Service or Solve a Sarasota County Water Problem
For Sarasota County water and wastewater accounts, the primary customer-service number is 941-861-6790. Spanish-language assistance is available at 941-861-6734.
The main Sarasota customer-service location is 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240. Phone-center hours are generally 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, excluding major holidays and weekends.
This guide goes beyond contact information: use it to pay a bill, understand current water rates, start or transfer service, avoid shutoff, request a leak adjustment, report a water or sewer emergency and find the right office.
Start here
Sarasota County Water Department Quick Facts
Customer Self-Service Portal
Make a one-time payment, enroll in autopay, review account details, track usage, download bills and submit qualifying service requests online.
Water + Wastewater
Sarasota County Public Utilities serves water and wastewater customers primarily in unincorporated portions of Sarasota County. City utilities can be different.
Use Your New Account Number
Customers using bank bill-pay should use the account number issued after Sarasota County’s November 2025 customer-system transition.
If the property is inside Sarasota, Venice, North Port or Longboat Key municipal service territory, confirm the utility provider before paying a bill or reporting an emergency.
Call the right number
Sarasota County Water Department Phone Numbers
Call 941-861-6790 for
- Water or sewer bill questions
- Account changes
- Past-due balances
- Payment arrangements
- Service start, move or transfer questions
- High consumption questions
- Leak / billing-adjustment guidance
- County water and sewer service requests
- County water/sewer emergencies
Other useful contacts
- Utility connections / permitting: 941-861-6767
- County general services: 311 or 941-861-5000
- TTY / relay: 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771
- Billing email: utilitybill@scgov.net
- Utility connections email: UtilitiesConnections@scgov.net
Before you visit or call
Sarasota County Public Utilities Hours
| Service | Monday–Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Phone Center | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Sarasota cashier / payment office | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Venice cashier / payment office | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. |
The Sarasota cashier window is generally closed daily from 1–2 p.m.. The Venice cashier window is generally closed approximately 12:30–1:30 p.m.. County offices are closed most major holidays and weekends.
Sarasota County provides payment drop boxes at the Sarasota and Venice locations. Drop-box payments are for checks only; write the utility account number clearly on the payment.
Billing
How to Pay a Sarasota County Water Bill
Online
Use Sarasota County’s Customer Self-Service portal for a one-time payment or account login.
By Phone
Use the county’s automated payment system at 1-888-253-1079.
By Mail
Mail payment to Utility Payment, P.O. Box 31320, Tampa, FL 33631-3320.
In Person
Pay at Sarasota or Venice customer-service cashier locations during current cashier hours.
Sarasota County states that a $2.95 transaction fee applies to credit/debit-card payments, including qualifying online, phone, in-office and recurring card payments.
Use ACH/eCheck auto draft, pay by check through the mail, use a check in a county drop box or use a qualifying fee-free payment method identified by Sarasota County.
Make a one-time payment without creating an account
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1
Open Sarasota County Bill Pay
Use the official county billing page and select the one-time payment option.
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2
Enter the current account number
Use the account number shown on your current Sarasota County utility bill.
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3
Review the account before paying
Confirm the balance and account before submitting payment.
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4
Choose the payment method
Remember that credit/debit-card transactions may incur the county’s $2.95 fee; qualifying eCheck/ACH payments do not.
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5
Save the confirmation
Keep the payment confirmation, especially if the account is approaching a late-payment or disconnection deadline.
Online account
Sarasota County Customer Self-Service Portal Login
Sarasota County’s newer Customer Self-Service system became the primary online utility-account platform after the November 2025 billing-system transition.
Pay & Autopay
Make payments, schedule qualifying payments and manage autopay preferences.
Usage & Bills
Review consumption, current charges, balances, prior bills and available account history.
Account Requests
Submit service inquiries, update contact information and request qualifying moves/transfers or payment-plan assistance.
What you need to register
- Your first and last name
- An email address
- Your current Sarasota County utility account number
- The eight-character activation code from your newer bill or welcome letter
If you are unsure whether autopay is active, check the current portal rather than assuming an older recurring-payment setup remains in place.
Registration, account-number changes, activation codes, autopay and portal FAQs.
Current charges
Sarasota County Water & Sewer Rates
Sarasota County’s current published rate schedule reflects Rate Resolution 2025-249, effective November 18, 2025.
| Water Charge | Current Published Rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly billing charge, per account | $3.20 |
| Monthly water readiness-to-serve charge | $19.58 |
| 0–4,000 gallons | $3.36 per 1,000 gallons |
| 4,001–8,000 gallons | $4.23 per 1,000 gallons |
| 8,001–12,000 gallons | $7.33 per 1,000 gallons |
| 12,001–18,000 gallons | $12.13 per 1,000 gallons |
| More than 18,000 gallons | $16.94 per 1,000 gallons |
| Wastewater Charge | Current Published Rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly wastewater quality fee, per EDU | $1.00 |
| Monthly wastewater readiness-to-serve, individually metered | $23.60 |
| Wastewater consumption | $11.96 per 1,000 gallons |
Sarasota County uses tiered potable-water consumption rates. Once household use moves into higher tiers, each additional 1,000 gallons costs substantially more than consumption in the lowest tier.
Rates can be amended by the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners.
Moving in
How to Start Sarasota County Water & Wastewater Service
Prepare Proof of Ownership
Sarasota County may accept qualifying ownership documentation such as a deed, title, settlement/closing statement, certificate of sale or ownership record.
Prepare the Signed Lease
Renters generally need a signed lease. Additional property-management documentation may be required when a management company is involved.
New-service checklist
- Completed water/wastewater service application
- Required identification
- Proof of ownership or signed lease
- Current contact information
- Service address
- Security-deposit arrangements if required
- Application fee where applicable
- Requested activation date
Activation timing
Monday–Thursday
A fully completed application with required documents received before noon may qualify for same-day activation. Applications received after noon generally move to the next business day.
Friday
A fully completed application received before 4 p.m. may qualify for Friday activation. Later applications generally move to the next business day.
Do not submit only the application form. Attach the required proof of ownership/lease and requested identification so Customer Service can process the account.
Security deposit
Sarasota County states that a security deposit is normally required to establish a new account, although it may be waived after a qualifying identity/credit-related review. Deposits are not transferable between people.
The county states that qualifying deposits can be credited back to the account after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments, together with applicable accrued interest under county rules.
Use the county’s current new-service application instructions before submitting documents.
Moving
Transfer, Move or Stop Sarasota County Utility Service
Do not rely solely on a new owner or tenant to change the account. Submit the termination/move request and confirm the effective date so future consumption is not left attached to your account.
Past-due bill
Sarasota County Water Shutoff, Late Fees & Reconnection
Past Due After 15 Days
Bills are due upon receipt and become past due 15 days after the billing date.
Assessed After Day 25
The late-payment charge is generally the greater of $2 or 1.5% of the qualifying past-due balance.
Previous Balance Matters
Service may be disconnected when a qualifying previous balance remains unpaid by the stated deadline.
Account posting and field-service timing matter when a disconnect order is already active.
If water has already been disconnected for non-payment
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1
Call Customer Service
Confirm the complete amount required to restore service.
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2
Pay the full required balance
Sarasota County states that full payment is required following a non-payment disconnect.
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3
Pay by the applicable cutoff
The county instructs disconnected customers to resolve qualifying balances by the applicable business-day payment cutoff; confirm the current requirement by phone.
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4
Allow for field reconnection
Service restoration is generally scheduled for the following business day after qualifying payment posts.
Sarasota County states that a partial payment is not sufficient unless a satisfactory payment arrangement was made with Utility Customer Service in advance.
Verify the current payment and restoration requirements for an account at risk of shutoff.
Unexpected usage
High Sarasota County Water Bill? Check These First
Continuous Leak
- Running toilet
- Hidden service-line leak
- Irrigation leak
- Pool equipment leak
High Outdoor Use
- Irrigation schedule
- New landscaping
- Pool refill
- Pressure washing
Account Check
- Compare prior usage
- Check current tier
- Review meter read
- Check billing period
Sarasota County encourages customers to monitor their own water meter. With all fixtures and irrigation off, movement at the meter can indicate ongoing consumption or a leak.
Sarasota County leak / abnormal-event adjustment
Customers may be eligible to request a billing adjustment after certain concealed leaks or abnormal events. Wastewater adjustments may also apply to qualifying initial pool fills or water that did not enter the sewer system.
- Repair the cause first
- Document what caused the excess use
- Keep the paid repair/supply receipt
- Record the repair date
- Submit the request within three months of the repair/event
- Continue making a good-faith payment while the request is reviewed
The county instructs customers awaiting an adjustment decision to make a good-faith payment equal to their average regular monthly bill to reduce the risk of service suspension.
Review eligibility, documentation and the current adjustment form.
Urgent utility problems
Sarasota County Water & Sewer Emergency Number
Use this number to report Sarasota County Public Utilities water/sewer emergencies, including qualifying sewer leaks, sewer backups and utility-system problems.
Report to Public Utilities
- Possible county water-main break
- Sewer overflow
- Sewer backup involving the public system
- Water coming from a county utility area
- Unexpected county water outage
- County utility infrastructure damage
Call 911 instead when
- There is immediate danger to life
- Flooding creates an electrical hazard
- A vehicle crash damaged infrastructure and people are injured
- Another emergency requires police, fire or EMS response
Inside a municipality? Call the municipal utility
| Utility Area | Water / Sewer Emergency Number |
|---|---|
| Sarasota County Public Utilities | 941-861-6790 |
| City of Sarasota Utilities | 941-263-6884 |
| City of North Port Utilities | 941-426-9500 |
| City of Venice Utilities | 941-486-2770 |
| Town of Longboat Key — normal hours | 941-316-1988 |
| Town of Longboat Key — after hours | 941-316-1201 |
Verify the correct utility provider and current emergency contact.
Service interruption
Sarasota County Water Outages & Boil Water Notices
Water and sewer interruptions can result from line breaks, scheduled repair work or system maintenance. Sarasota County can issue precautionary boil-water notices or indoor-water-use restrictions when system conditions require them.
For smaller outages affecting 50 customers or fewer, the county may use door-to-door contact and door hangers. Larger events may use AlertSarasotaCounty/Everbridge phone, text or email notifications.
If a precautionary boil-water notice applies to your address, continue following the notice until Sarasota County explicitly announces that it has been rescinded.
Check water/sewer interruptions and boil-water guidance.
Drinking water
Sarasota County Water Quality & Supply
Sarasota County Public Utilities operates multiple drinking-water sources and treatment systems. County information identifies water from the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve system, Venice Gardens well fields and purchased regional supplies.
Carlton System
Well supplies associated with the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve are treated through county water-treatment infrastructure, including electrodialysis-reversal processing.
Venice Gardens
The Venice Gardens system includes groundwater wells and reverse-osmosis treatment.
Regional Supply
Sarasota County also receives purchased water from regional suppliers, helping diversify the county’s drinking-water portfolio.
What to check in the Consumer Confidence Report
- Where the drinking water comes from
- Regulated contaminants detected
- EPA/FDEP limits and comparison levels
- Disinfection information
- Special health information
- Utility contact information
Sarasota County maintains a public/private water service-line inventory as part of federal Lead and Copper Rule compliance work. Check the county’s current inventory information for your property.
Access the county’s current Consumer Confidence Report and service-line resources.
New connection
New Water Meter, Sewer Connection & Utility Availability
Starting an existing customer account is different from physically connecting a property to Sarasota County’s utility system.
Check Availability
Submit Sarasota County’s utility service-availability inquiry to determine whether county water or sewer service is available to the parcel.
Connection Review
Complete the required water/sewer connection application and applicable EDU/capacity-fee documentation.
Meter / Permit
Coordinate utility permitting, meter-set requirements and applicable connection/capacity charges with the county.
Water/sewer connection applications, service availability and capacity-fee information.
Outdoor use
Sarasota County Water Restrictions
Landscape irrigation rules can vary according to current county and Southwest Florida Water Management District requirements. Before changing an irrigation schedule, check the county’s latest restriction page rather than relying on an old watering-day chart.
Before Irrigating
- Confirm your permitted watering day
- Check allowable watering hours
- Check temporary drought restrictions
- Adjust timers after power outages
- Repair broken sprinkler heads
High Bill Prevention
- Do not let irrigation run continuously
- Watch for stuck valves
- Check seasonal controller settings
- Inspect irrigation zones for hidden leaks
- Compare monthly usage in the utility portal
Use Sarasota County’s current irrigation information before watering.
Visit in person
Sarasota County Water Department Address & Payment Locations
Sarasota County Public Utilities Customer Service
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34240
Customer-service phone: 941-861-6790
Phone-center hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cashier:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Closed daily 1–2 p.m.
R.L. Anderson Administration Center
4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Room 2070
Venice, FL 34293
Cashier hours:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Lunch closure:
Approximately 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Drop box: Checks only.
Open Venice Office MapMailing addresses
Customer Correspondence
Sarasota County Public Utilities
Customer Service Office
P.O. Box 2553
Sarasota, FL 34230-2553
Utility Bill Payments
Sarasota County Public Utilities
P.O. Box 31320
Tampa, FL 33631-3320
Allow adequate mailing time before the payment deadline.
Avoid the wrong utility
Do You Actually Have Sarasota County Water Service?
A Sarasota mailing address does not automatically mean Sarasota County Public Utilities is the property’s water provider.
Check the Bill
The quickest method is to look at the utility name printed on the most recent water/sewer bill.
Check the Property
If purchasing or leasing, ask the seller, landlord or property manager which utility serves the parcel.
Ask Public Utilities
For connection availability in unincorporated areas, use Sarasota County’s utility-availability inquiry process.
City of Sarasota, City of Venice, City of North Port and other utility systems may serve properties within the geographic county.
Understand the statement
How to Read a Sarasota County Utility Bill
Account Number
Use the current number for online payments, bank bill-pay and customer-service questions.
Billing Date
The date used to calculate the county’s late-payment timeline.
Usage
Compare gallons used with prior months to spot a potential leak or irrigation spike.
Fixed Charges
Readiness-to-serve and billing charges can apply even when consumption is low.
Sarasota County generates utility bills on geographic billing cycles. The exact mailing date can vary slightly because bills are not processed on weekends or holidays.
Fast fixes
Sarasota County Utility Troubleshooting
| Problem | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| Portal says account not found | Confirm you are using the newer account number issued after the November 2025 transition. |
| Cannot register portal account | Use the current account number plus the eight-character activation code from the newer bill/welcome letter. |
| Bank bill-pay payment missing | Verify the bank is sending the newer Sarasota County account number. |
| Sudden high water usage | Turn fixtures off, inspect the meter, toilets and irrigation, then document any leak repair. |
| Bill not received | Contact 941-861-6790 or utilitybill@scgov.net for account assistance or a duplicate statement. |
| Disconnect notice received | Call Customer Service immediately, especially when the stated shutoff date is today or has passed. |
| No water at property | Check current outages; if neighbors have water, verify account status and private plumbing. |
| Sewer backup | Stop unnecessary indoor water use and report a suspected county sewer-system problem to 941-861-6790. |
| Moving out | Submit a stop/terminate request and verify the final service date. |
| Need new meter connection | Contact Utility Connections at 941-861-6767 rather than ordinary billing support. |
Utility terms
Sarasota County Water Bill Terms Explained
Readiness-to-Serve Charge
A fixed monthly charge associated with maintaining utility-system availability to a connected account, separate from actual water consumption.
Consumption Charge
A usage-based charge calculated from the quantity of metered water used during the billing period.
EDU
Equivalent Dwelling Unit. A utility-capacity measurement Sarasota County uses in connection and wastewater-related calculations.
Activation Code
The eight-character code associated with Sarasota County’s newer Customer Self-Service registration process.
Concealed Leak
A qualifying hidden leak that may potentially support a billing-adjustment request after repair and documentation.
Precautionary Boil Water Notice
A temporary public-health precaution issued after certain interruptions or conditions that could affect drinking-water quality.
Common searches
Sarasota County Water Department FAQs
What is the Sarasota County Water Department phone number?
What is the Sarasota County Water Department address?
What are Sarasota County Public Utilities customer-service hours?
How do I pay my Sarasota County water bill online?
Does Sarasota County charge a fee to pay a utility bill by card?
How do I start Sarasota County water service?
What do I do if my Sarasota County water bill is very high?
When can Sarasota County disconnect water for non-payment?
What number do I call for a Sarasota County water or sewer emergency?
How do I check Sarasota County boil-water notices or water outages?
Verify before acting
Official Sarasota County Utility Resources
Public Utilities
Department overview, water quality, outages and utility resources.
Customer Service
Phone, addresses, payment options, new service and account information.
Bill Pay
One-time payment, account login, portal registration and autopay.
Rates
Current water and wastewater consumption and monthly charges.
Service Outages
Water outages, sewer interruptions and boil-water guidance.
Bill Adjustments
Concealed-leak, abnormal-event and qualifying wastewater adjustment requests.