The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority approved rate increases for water, sewer and sanitation customers on Tuesday.

The Board approved a recommendation from the ECUA Citizens Advisory Council for a flat-rate increase of 3% for all three services.

The 3% increase in water and sewer rates will be a modest increase for most customers. For a typical mainland customer who uses 6,300 gallons, the increase would be 94 cents for water and $1.08 for sewer, for a total of $2.02 per month. (Water and sewer customers in Pensacola Beach pay a higher rate.)

5th District Board Member Kevin Stephens said he was not necessarily opposed to the rate increases, which were based on staff recommendations and “our drastically failing infrastructure.”

In addition, a 3% increase in hygiene fees is proposed.

For residential customers with a 90-gallon container in a smaller container, the rate will increase from $29.82 to $30.56, an increase of 74 cents. The rate for seniors with a 60-gallon container would increase 62 cents, from $24.98 to $25.60.

“Other changes included an increase in the initial delivery fee for non-compacted roll-off containers in the commercial sector, the resolution said. “The budget (for fiscal year) 2024 included changes to commercial rates to become more competitive with the private sector.”

No member of the public spoke to the board during a public hearing on the tariff increases on Tuesday.