Water rates are going up six per cent for residential and commercial users on the City of 麻豆精选 system.
Staff made the recommendation to council at its Jan. 22 regular meeting.
Coun. Mohini Singh wanted to know if agricultural customers were consulted about the increase, adding she鈥檚 hearing from them that water rates are too high.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 tend to go out and ask members of the community if they feel that a six per cent rate increase is going to be appropriate,鈥� said Kevin Van Vliet, utility services manager. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the purview to make that decision.鈥�
Van Viet told council that the city鈥檚 water system is aging, operating costs are increasing and renewal costs are three to four times what they were 10 years ago.
The six per cent hike would be in place for 2024 and 2025 and amounts to $2.98 extra per month for the average single-family home.
鈥淐ouncil and the community should prepare for ongoing rate adjustments around six per cent annually in the future,鈥� Van Vliet added.
He noted that 麻豆精选 water rates are comparable to other utility providers in the Okanagan.
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