M.D. council OKs hike in water rates
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
M.D. of Big Lakes citizens will be digging a little deeper into their pockets to pay water bills this fall after council approved a water rate increase at its May 9 meeting effective Sept. 1.
The rate increase is to $4.04 per cubic metre from $3.46, or an increase of 40 cents. A cubic metre is about 220 gallons.
The price of water tokens is also increasing to $5.50 from $4.50.
In a report to council, public works staff calculated the cost of producing water, and suggested the new rate based on operating expenses versus revenues.
“Operating costs have dropped slightly by 24 cents per cubic meter, but amortization and capital contributions have, and continue to require a significant increase,” wrote Gary Couch.
Couch estimates that with the increase, and all things remaining equal, 82 cents of the rate will be contributed to capital reserves.
M.D. CAO Ken Bosman added that the water purchased at the filling stations is subsidized.
“Technically, they are getting a one penny discount so it’s a wash,” he said.
Council approved the rates effective Sept. 1 to coincide with their next billing period to make the transition easier.
Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen and Grouard Councillor Fern Welch opposed the increase.
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