Owen Sound’s water rate is increasing by five per cent this summer.
City council approved the operations committee-recommended hike at a recent meeting. It will be effective July 1.
A staff report says the average residential water user in Owen Sound will see the monthly bill rise by just under seven dollars — or around $80 annually.
The five per cent increase was recommended by consulting firm Hemson in a rate study prepared for the the city. The increase in fixed- and consumption-based water charges was recommended to support operating costs, address capital investment needs and to contribute to reserves, a report by the city’s Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan says.
The city’s 10-year water capital plan includes more than $14-million in planned spending. A major ongoing capital project being undertaken this year in the city is the $3.65-million replacement of residential water meters.
The Hemson study projects water bills will increase by an average of 4.4 per cent for the typical residential customer in Owen Sound over the next five years.
Owen Sound’s wastewater surcharge will remain at 124 per cent of the water rate this year.
