'Increases can no longer be avoided': Halifax Water seeks rate hike
Costs are going up in every direction, and for people in Halifax, the next increase might be their water bill.
Halifax Water is seeking permission from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for a water, wastewater and stormwater rate hike this September and once again in April 2023.
The rate hike would mean a typical residence in the Halifax Regional Municipality that currently pays about $78.31 quarterly for water and $125.27 quarterly for wastewater would pay an additional $1.65 on water and $4.64 in September.
In April 2023, rates would increase another $4.13 for water and $2.16 for wastewater.
Halifax Water is also asking for a hike to stormwater rates between $2 and $15 dollars and once again in April 2023, for an increase of between $3 and $19 –depending on the impervious area.
“Rate increases can no longer be avoided. Costs resulting from aging infrastructure, growth pressures, and ongoing environmental compliance are increasing,” said Cathie O’Toole, general manager of Halifax Water. “As are expenses such as electricity, chemicals and wages.”
They are pressures consumers know all too well as the costs of gas, food and energy go up.
“In such circumstances a utility needs to be especially diligent in keeping costs to a minimum amount possible,” said William Mahody, a consumer advocate.
“Utilities need to take the lead from their customers and learn to do more with less.”
Halifax Water is also going to waive some of the fees charged to overdue accounts and request to lower the interest rate charged to outstanding accounts from 19 per cent to 14 per cent.
PROVINCE DOESN’T WANT TO PAY
Halifax Water is looking to charge the Province of Nova Scotia $1.1 million in annual stormwater fees as of September, and about $1.2 million as of April, but the province does not want to pay the fees.
The Province of Nova Scotia filed a statement to the UARB arguing that Halifax Water has no authority to charge it for stormwater fees on its provincial roads.
Mark Rieksts, a lawyer with the Nova Scotia government, said the province manages its own stormwater service on its own roadways and this is the first time Halifax Water has tried to charge the province.
“This infrastructure is funded through the taxpayer dollars,” Rieksts said. “As the guardian of the public purse, the province is, and will remain vigilant that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.”
HALIFAX WATER DISAGREES
John MacPherson, a lawyer for Halifax Water, called it a “peculiar argument” and noted that the province has been paying for water services for 70 years.
“In our view the province is clearly wrong in both fact and law,” MacPherson said.
The hearing heard if the province doesn’t pay, the costs would be absorbed by other customers.
CONSERVING WATER
Lil MacPherson, co-owner of the Wooden Monkey restaurant, said her business’ water bill is already about $500 a month. To conserve costs and energy, the restaurant has started only serving by request instead of automatically pouring it for every table.
Otherwise, MacPherson said, too much is wasted.
“You can drink as much water as you want here, you just have to ask for it,” she said.
When you add up the amount of water it takes to wash a glass of water, make the ice for it and fill it with water, Macpherson estimates it takes about three glasses of water to serve one.
She’s encouraging other restaurants to also conserve.
“Something really small that we all do together makes a huge impact on water conservation, which I hope HRM are talking about that,” MacPherson said.
As for the decision about if and when rates might go up, the UARB is still reviewing evidence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.