'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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.