'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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.