Local utility bill pegged to increase

Posted January 7, 2013

It's going to cost five per cent more to turn on the water faucet and flush a toilet starting April 1, according to the proposed 2013 operating budgets.

Residential water and wastewater rates are recommended to move from $1.66 per cubic metre to $1.74. (One cubic metre equals 246 gallons). Charges apply only to urban residents on municipal services, which is calcuated by actual usage, with no minimum or flat rates.

For illustrative purposes, the Town's picture of the average customer is the low user, about 15 cm per month, who will pay $52.20 (pre-tax) and the high user, 30 cm, it's $104.40. Bills are issued quarterly.

The proposed increases, which follow last year's five per cent hike, are estimated to raise $360,000 in additional revenue.

Overall, the Town is projecting $4.9 million in revenues from water and $7.5 million in wastewater. Actual in 2012 as of Dec. 12, was $4.2 million and $6.7 million respectively.

Water expenditures are estimated at $5.2 million in 2013, and $7.5 million for wastewater. There is more than $490,000 in water reserves that is being transferred to wastewater operations to cover its operating costs.

Among the significant ongoing projects are the expansion to Parson's Road reservoir, and the looming construction of a replacement sewage treatment plant in Tottenham and its associated works. In both instances, long term debentures, funded by future development charges, are earmarked to pay the costs.

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