News Summary
JEA has completed a crucial water main replacement project in Jacksonville’s Mandarin area, aiming to improve water service reliability. The project involved replacing a 24-inch water main under San Jose Boulevard, following a previous break. JEA plans overnight lane closures for paving works, with completion projected for June 2025. Additionally, the utility has announced a rate increase affecting electric, water, and sewer charges, resulting in an estimated average monthly bill rise for customers. Infrastructure improvements and sustainability investments are cited as reasons for the hike.
Jacksonville
JEA has successfully completed a significant water main replacement project in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, aimed at enhancing the reliability of local water services. The utility company has replaced a 24-inch water main running under San Jose Boulevard (SR 13) between Old River Road and Claire Lane, which had suffered an earlier break in the summer of 2024. This upgrade is intended to prevent future water outages and minimize traffic disruptions, according to JEA.
The next phase of work on this project involves paving and striping the road along San Jose Boulevard, with overnight lane closures expected for three consecutive nights. The closures will occur from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The estimated completion date for all associated work is projected to be June 19, 2025, subject to favorable weather conditions.
In addition to the completed water main replacement, JEA has announced an approved rate increase for its utility services, which will affect electric, water, and sewer charges. This rate hike is expected to result in a roughly 3.7% increase in average residential customer bills, with the changes set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
Utility Rate Increase Details
Customers can use the JEA bill estimator to evaluate their projected utility costs for the upcoming year, assuming they maintain the same usage levels as in 2024. The utility’s officials attribute the need for the rate increase to extensive investments in sustainability, technology enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and compliance with evolving state and federal regulations.
An estimated $25 million has been allocated for several key improvement projects, including upgrades to water reclamation facilities, conversions of biosolid facilities, and enhancements to the piping system.
After the rate increase, the projected average monthly utility bill for Jacksonville customers is expected to rise from $205.66 to $210.27. Despite this increase, Jacksonville remains competitive with its utility costs, as the current average bill is lower compared to other major cities in Florida, such as Orlando at $213.36, and Miami at $214.26. St. Petersburg has the highest average monthly utility bill in the state, recorded at $305.71.
Background on Water Main Issues
The original water main that was replaced had previously broken in the summer of 2024, leading to concerns regarding water supply continuity and the impact on local traffic flows. JEA has made it a priority to enhance its infrastructure to better serve the community and provide reliable water services.
By investing in both immediate improvements such as the water main replacement and long-term projects linked to the recent rate increases, JEA aims to sustain and improve the overall quality and reliability of utility services in Jacksonville. As the utility continues to assess and enhance its systems, it points to its commitment to maintaining the lowest overall utility costs among the major cities in Florida, even in light of unavoidable rate adjustments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jacksonville Faces Traffic Disruptions from Water Main Repairs
Important Water Main Replacement Starts in Jacksonville
Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: JEA Completes Work on Water Main
- Florida Politics: JEA Adds Increase to Utility Costs
- My Journal Courier: Jacksonville Rain Gardens Flooding
- Wikipedia: JEA
- News4Jax: St. Johns County Updates Reclaimed Water Usage Rules
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Supply
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
