The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The advantages to having a redevelopment agency are:

• Provides additional funds to address community needs.
• Allows for more centralization of planning efforts.
• Good source of match funds normally required for other grant programs.
• Plans are derived through public participation throughout the redevelopment district.
• "Frees-up" local revenue funds allowing them to be spent elsewhere in the city.
• Provides a long-term outlook of what the district would like to be.

 The disadvantages are:

• Improvements take long to realize a difference in the area.
• It can become political.
• Often not enough money to realize all of the improvements within the district.
• Although a CRA may be a powerful tool, the prioritization of projects may become too overwhelming.

Slum is defined by Florida Statutes as an area which there is a predominance of buildings, residential or commercial, that are either deteriorated, dilapidated or by reason of obsolescence, is a detriment to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare. Florida Statutes define blight as an area determined by the local government to have the characteristics of a slum area or two (2) or more of the following characteristics:

• Predominance of defective or inadequate street layout, parking facilities, roadways, bridges, or public transportation.
• Failure of aggregate assessed values to increase in 5 years.
• Faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness.
• Unsanitary or unsafe conditions.
• Deterioration of site or other improvements.
• Inadequate and outdated building density standards.
• Falling lease rates per square foot of office, commercial, or industrial space compared to the remainder of the county or municipality.
• Tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding fair value of the land.
• Residential and commercial vacancy rates higher in the area than in the remainder of the county or municipality.
• Incidence of crime in the area higher than in the remainder of the county or municipality.
• Fire and emergency medical service call to the area proportionately higher than in the remainder of the county or municipality.
• A greater number of violations of the Florida Building Code in the area than the number of violations recorded in the remainder of the county or municipality.
• Diversity of property ownership or defective or unusual conditions of title.
• Governmental owned property with adverse environmental conditions caused by a public or private entity.

The Bayfront Community Redevelopment Agency’s Redevelopment Plan identifies strategies for the benefit of the entire Bayfront Redevelopment District, as well as for the special character districts. The plan was updated in 2010. The updated plan provides goals, objectives, policies and projects for the Redevelopment Agency to try to attain its vision of the District being redeveloped as an attractive, inviting, and economically successful community with residential, commercial/retail and mixed use areas that promote a positive image and marine village for the enjoyment of the community and region. Some of the more important strategies identified in the Plan include the following:  business development loans, business and residential facade and beautification improvements, community policing, streetscape improvements, economic development marketing strategies, gateway improvements, public facility (park and infrastructure) improvements, public information programs, land acquisition of strategic properties to eliminate blight and accelerate the revitalization process, special events, etc.  More detail can be found in the Bayfront Community Redevelopment District 2024 Plan, “Creating a Bayfront Village on the Indian River Lagoon”.

By Resolution 95-72, adopted December 21, 1995, the Palm Bay City Council made its Finding of Necessity, thus establishing the redevelopment district known as the Bayfront Redevelopment District. The boundaries of the district are west along the city limits from the Indian River Lagoon to the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad; south along the FEC Railroad for approximately 2,200 feet; west along the city limits to Lipscomb; south on Lipscomb to Pacific Ave; east on Pacific to Northview St; south on Northview to Conlan Blvd; south on Conlan to Palm Bay Rd. east along the southern limit of lots fronting Palm Bay Rd. to the FEC Railroad; south along the FEC Railroad to the city limits at the Town of Malabar; east along the city limits to the Indian River Lagoon and north along the Indian River Lagoon to the city limits at the City of Melbourne. The area is further divided into five sub-character districts: the Powell Subdivision District; the Kirby Industrial District; the Riverview District which extends from the northern edge, south along the U.S. 1 corridor to Orange Blossom Trail; the Bayfront Redevelopment Village which extends from Orange Blossom Trail, south along the U.S. 1 corridor to the Turkey Creek Bridge, and the South Cove District which extends from the Turkey Creek bridge, south along the U.S. 1 corridor to the southern city limits.

Swales are designed to be a channel for major rainstorms to drain runoff away and prevent flooding. For minor storms, swales are designed to hold rainwater for up to 72 hours before percolating into our groundwater system and evaporating into the atmosphere. By delaying the flow of stormwater, it allows some pollutants to settle.

No. In Palm Bay, as in most cities across the country, stormwater runoff is NOT treated before it is released into our waterways.

A large portion of the trash and garbage that is left out on our streets, chemicals from agriculture, industry, and households, sediments from construction sites, and petroleum products end up in the Indian River Lagoon after it rains.

Since 70% or more of the pollution carried by runoff is “Non-Point-Source” that is produced by people everywhere just going about their daily activities, simple changes in behavior can do a lot to clean up our stormwater system:

• Use fertilizers and pesticides according to the directions on the label,
• Dispose of animal waste properly
• Dispose of trash and garbage in receptacles and recycle or compost
• Wash cars on the lawn instead of contributing nutrient-rich wash water to the stormwater system
• Use native Florida plants in landscaping
• Set up a rain barrel to capture runoff from your roof
• Report erosion and sediment runoff from construction sites and illegal dumping and discharging to the Palm Bay Public Works.

Basically, a watershed is an area of land that drains water, sediment, and dissolved materials to a common receiving body or outlet.  

Along with surface water runoff, a watershed also includes interactions with subsurface water. Watersheds can vary from the largest river basins to just acres or less in size.

Stormwater runoff is rainwater that does not evaporate or soak into the ground; instead it flows over rooftops, compacted soil, and paved areas.

The best way to care for your pond is to clear or clean inflow/outflow structures, remove nuisance and excess vegetation, repair eroded slopes, clean up trash and yard waste in your yard and gutters and around storm drains. The use of shoreline vegetation can reduce erosion and trap pollutants in stormwater runoff before the runoff reaches the water in the pond.

Avoid fertilizing within 3-10 feet of the shoreline to reduce the chance of it being carried into the pond.

Depending on the type of drainage system, one should see water draining within 72 hours. If water is retained in the swale longer than 72 hours after the last rainfall, it could indicate a problem with drainage in your immediate neighborhood. Contact the Palm Bay Public Works Customer Service office and notify them of this issue.

Certain types of stormwater management systems such as a wet detention system or pond are designed to contain stormwater runoff and the water may never drain out completely.

• Invite speakers from the Palm Bay Public Works Department to your organization to give informative stormwater presentations
• Consider the responsibility of “adopting” a road or drain. These programs are open to individuals as well as organizations
• Contact the City of Palm Bay Public Works Department for information on projects such as inlet marking, neighborhood cleanup “blitzes,” etc;
• Get in touch with organizations such as Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Marine Resources Council for their “Indian River Lagoon Watch” volunteer programs

Visit the following websites:

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• St. Johns River Water Management District

Some of the water evaporates into the atmosphere, some percolates into the ground, and some flows into a series of ditches and canals that lead directly to the Indian River Lagoon.

Stormwater runoff is collected by the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) comprised of swales, lakes and ponds, drains and pipes, and canals for drainage to reduce the risk of flooding. During a storm in Palm Bay, stormwater runoff can carry pollution to our waterways by way of our storm sewer system. It is important to note that the stormwater runoff does not go to a treatment facility to be cleaned of pollutants.

To protect the quality of our creeks, rivers and public health, please report sources of pollution you witness along the roadside or in your neighborhood including:

You can do this anonymously by calling the Public Works Hotline: (321) 952-3438 (daytime) or (321) 952-3456 Non-Emergency Police (after-hours) or use our online reporting system.

The property owner is responsible for the every day care and maintenance of the swales located within the easements around their property. The City of Palm Bay is responsible for the care and maintenance of swales on City owned property.

A rate adjustment may be available for filling a swimming pool. If a customer qualifies, the adjustment will be for water usage above the customer’s monthly average to be charged at the first block/tier of the rate schedule. Wastewater consumption will be reduced to a monthly average.

The following rules and restrictions apply:

• Request Form must be completed. Request must be received within 30 days of the bill date.
• One adjustment is permitted per 12 month period.
• Proof of filling pool must be provided.

Yes, the City tests the water extensively according to Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  guidelines, for primary standards that are set to protect human health and for secondary standards or aesthetic considerations such as taste, odor, and appearance.

View Water Quality Report

To have your water service restored, you must pay the past due balance along with the current reconnection fee. All fees are subject to change, for more information contact Customer Service by phone at (321) 952-3420 or by email at UCS@pbfl.org.

You can make a payment by phone by calling (321) 733-3069 or pay online. 

For after hours service, please call (321) 952-3478.  Customers must be home in order for service to be restored. Please note:  customers disconnected for non-payment may contact our After Hours phone line until 7:00 p.m. to have water restored. Fees will apply.  Customers needing service restored after 7:00 p.m. must contact the Utilities Customer Service office at (321) 952-3420 the following business day during normal business hours.

First, you will need to determine if water service is available in your area.

If your home has been previously connected to services,  you can apply for service at the Utilities Customer Service desk at 120 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 in the City Hall Annex.

Each new customer is required to submit a deposit when application is made for service. Residential customers can opt to have a credit screening conducted (this requires  a small fee) to determine if their deposit can be waived or reduced.  This deposit is refundable at the time of final billing, after deductions of outstanding charges are satisfied. If you move to a new location within our service area, your deposit can be transferred to your new address if all charges have been satisfied. Deposits do not prevent the discontinuance of service due to the non-payment of charges. If a customer has a record of timely payments over a continuous 36-month period, their deposit shall be returned.

The forms & applications can be submitted online or downloaded, printed, and submitted in person to Customer Service. Forms may also be faxed to Customer Service at 321-727-0693.  Remember to include your contact information with your faxed forms where you may be reached. 

If your home is a new connection to City services, we can determine the specific costs for your home's water connection.  You will then need to complete the application process and pay your deposit and meter installation fee.  Other charges may be financed.

Learn more about Connecting to City Water or City Sewer.

Your bill is broken down into different sections to help you identify your account information.

It is broken down by:

• Urgent messages
• Your account number
• Your cycle and route number
• Current charges
• The total amount due.

If you need assistance understanding your bill, please contact us at ucs@pbfl.org or by calling 321-952-3420.

You may contact Palm Bay Utilities Department's Customer Service at (321) 952-3420 for details.

Please note: Palm Bay Utilities requires a written request in order to terminate an account.  The person whose name appears on the account must sign the termination request.

If your billing address has changed contact Customer Service to update your information.

Utilities Customer Service
120 Malabar Road SE
Palm Bay, FL 32907
321-952-3420
Utilities Billing Online
Email Us

There may be many reasons why your water bill is higher than normal. Please review information on the high consumption, leaks, and credits. If you need additional assistance, contact Customer Service at UCS@pbfl.org and type in the subject line "Assistance High Water Bill", or you may call 321-952-3420 to speak with a Customer Service representative.

Can I have my water meter tested for accuracy?

Yes, however, there may be a fee for a calibration test.  If the re-read or test proves accurate there will be no adjustment to the bill. Payment for usage due to a leak is the responsibility of the homeowner or tenant. To inquire into the current rate for these fees please contact Customer Service at UCS@pbfl.org with "Meter Testing Inquiry" in the subject line.  Please be sure to include your name, address, and a contact phone number.

Water service can be temporarily disconnected.  There is an Administrative charge per trip charge for this service.  The customer will continue to be billed for the monthly base facility charges.

Solid Waste and Recycling service can be suspended for six months in any twelve month period.

To avoid such fees, some customers prefer to shut-off the water to their home by using their house valve instead.

Seasonal Customer Information

Watering Restrictions are established and enforced by St. Johns River Water Management District. For residential customers, watering days are based on your house number.  You should only water before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. and only on your designated day(s). This information can be found on the Water Conservation page by reviewing the "Know Your Watering Days."

Know Your Watering Days