City looks at introducing new water and sewage rates

In a meeting today, council looked at introducing a new bylaw that would raise the rates of water and sewage in the city.

Under this bylaw, water rates would increase to $1.44, from $1.35, per cubic metre – and sewer rates will increase to $1.54, from $1.49, per cubic metre.

The city said in the request for decision that a resident who uses an average of 18 cubic metre per month would see am increase of $2.52 on their monthly bill – or 3.3%.

“Water and sewer rates need to be increased annually to address increasing operating costs and to continue the move towards full-cost recovery for the operation of the water and sewer system that Council has directed,” as stated in the request for decision.

Other financial changes in water include: Š

• increase minimum service connection charge to $2,500 (2015 – $1,000);
• will coincide with the sewer service connection charge Š
• increase fee for water main and curb stop turn on and turn offs during normal business hours to $45.00 (2015 – $40.00) Š
• increase fee for water main and curb stop turn on and turn offs outside normal business hours to $250.00 (2015 – $200.00) Š
• added new Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly rental rates for daily ($150.00), weekly ($750.00) and monthly ($2,000) rentals Š increased non-domestic water rate to $8.50 (2015 – $7.50)

For sewage, an increase minimum service connection charge to $2,500, up from $2,000.

This bylaw will be looked at further in the October 26th meeting.