A plan to increase water rates by four per cent in Owen Sound has been approved by council.
Through a recorded vote during the March 29 council meeting, a result of 7-2 in favour will direct staff to implement this increase.
Set to take effect for the May 2021 billing cycles, for the average water user, the four per cent increase will result in $5.39 per month, an annual impact of $1,357.26.
This rise in water rates comes after a presentation in May of 2020 that recommended an annual increase of five per cent to water rates in 2020 through 2030 to ensure the financial stability of water and waste services.
When the Covid pandemic hit however, council decided to go for the second option that saw a zero per cent increase in 2020, knowing that a higher increase would be required in the future to make up for this decision.
Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan, who put together the report, said she felt a six per cent increase, which was suggested to council in a previous meeting, was the proper way to go, but understands that circumstances changed when the pandemic hit the area. “So often we talk about ‘why don’t you do a zero per cent increase?’ This is exactly it, because you will always have to catch up.”
Deputy Mayor Brian O’Leary noted during the meeting that the rise in water rates is the “price for the greening of Owen Sound,” adding he feels this is the price they are paying for not dealing with their sewage. “It is the price we pay for good, clean water as well, it is not easy to pay it, but it is high time to do it, and the piper has to be there.”
To further supplement the costs of forgoing the initial increase in water rates, the minimum water rate increase that was recommended by staff and passed by council is the four per cent in 2021, 4.5 per cent in 2022, and five per cent in 2023.