With rising costs and capital projects on the horizon, Chatham-Kent’s public utilities commission (PUC) has approved new water and wastewater rates for this year.
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Commissioners accepted the recommendations during Thursday’s virtual meeting.
For the average household or three or four people, using 17 cubic meters of water and wastewater, the total increase works out to approximately $9 extra a month, said Darren Galbraith, PUC general manager.
“The increases are necessary to ensure sustainability now and in the future,” he said. “They cover increases in costs for operation and maintenance for treatment and delivery of water and wastewater, as well as finance lifecycle and capital projects, as well as debt financing.”
Although the rate increase was passed relatively quickly on Thursday, there has been much discussion in recent months, including in October, when the PUC approved the water and wastewater rate study from Watson and Associates.
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Commissioners learned 2025-34 water capital costs, adjusted for inflation, are pegged at about $870 million, with wastewater capital costs estimated at $305 million.
During that time, the average annual water bill for a home is expected to rise to $1,157 from $605 and the average annual wastewater bill is predicted to jump to $1,200 from $630.
However, Galbraith noted those figures could change, up or down, based on a number of factors.
“Even though the rate study projects the rates for the next 10 years, the rate study will be reviewed and renewed in approximately five years,” he said.
“Factors such as construction costs, facility needs, funding and grants from upper governments, may lead to change in the rates from those in the current rate study.”
To view the water and wastewater rate study, visit https://www.chatham-kent.ca/services/water/Documents/Chatham-Kent%20PUC%20Rate%20Study.pdf
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