The structure of Norfolk County makes delivery of water and wastewater services very expensive.
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Just before council approved a rate hike that will add about $14 a month next year to the average residential bill for water and wastewater, Al Meneses, the municipality’s CAO, said funding from the provincial and federal government is critical.
“We need to continue to push higher levels of government to understand how difficult it is for municipalities of our geographical size and the limited amount of people who are actually on water to make this an economically viable system,” said Meneses at a budget committee meeting on Thursday.
The 2025 increase will bring the average annual water/wastewater bill to about $1,770. Commercial businesses and industries will also be hit with rate hikes.
In fact, Norfolk residents are facing significant increases in water charges over the next 10 years as the county struggles to upgrade its aging infrastructure.
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A 10-year forecast estimates an average annual rate hike of nine per cent for water and seven per cent for wastewater from 2025 to 2033.
Driving up the cost is necessary capital spending for water treatment facilities and underground systems that deliver water and takeaway wastewater to and from homes and businesses.
Norfolk’s 2025-2034 rate capital plan includes an allocation of $8.6 million in water-related projects in 2025 and $413 million in the years 2026-2034. This is in addition to the previously approved water and wastewater capital projects that are ongoing.
The approved capital budget includes an allocation of $169 million in rate-related capital projects, with $108 million to be provided from the issuance of debentures. This includes $58 million for the Simcoe wastewater treatment plant; $40 million for the Port Dover plant; $21 million for the Port Rowan plant; and $21 million for Port Rowan water treatment plant projects.
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“There is no getting away from the fact that we’ve got aging infrastructure and a massive amount of assets in our water and wastewater inventory that need to be replaced,” said Meneses.
Mayor Amy Martin called it “the price of neglect and not keeping up with the maintenance and requirements to date.”
“We need more billable users to make this more affordable to the residents of Norfolk County,” said Martin.
The news wasn’t all bad. Earlier this year, the county received $16 million from the province for upgrades to the Port Dover wastewater treatment plant, reducing the financial burden on ratepayers.
But Norfolk treasurer Amy Fanning said the municipality must “balance how long to wait for senior government help with the risk of potential service interruptions, growth moratoriums, and public safety risks in the meantime.”
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Doug Brunton was the only councilor to vote against the rate budget calling it a “big burden on the urban people of Norfolk.”
Coun. Tom Masschaele said he “didn’t want anyone to think any member of council who may support this are doing it because it’s great news.”
“Nobody likes this, and nobody wants to do this,” he said. “The reality of aging infrastructure Norfolk has cannot be ignored or denied.”
Before the vote, Martin told councilors “It’s our responsibility to move forward with one voice.”
“This isn’t affordable without their support. I encourage you all to demand more from higher levels of government and encourage our MPP to bring home dollars.”
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