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B’ford approves new water bylaw

Some will see increases, others not
Town Hall

Water and sewer bills are likely to increase for certain Battleford water consumers due to a new bylaw, although many families might not notice much difference. 

In January, town council approved raising $116,000 from water and utility rates. According to the 2019 budget, funds would specifically pay for the wastewater lagoon upgrades “now needed by the town given the significant growth over the past decade.”

Administration has said increases would cost “the average water consumer” an additional $72 per year, although those who use more water would pay more, and those who use less would pay less.

According to a report by Chief Administrative Officer John Enns-Wind, the town’s water and sewer rate bylaw hasn’t been adjusted since 2010, and the last increase in water and sewer rates occurred in 2012.

Residents who use a minimum amount of water and who don’t disconnect their water usage aren’t likely to notice a change.

Those affected by the new changes include people who turn their water off and reconnect it, and consumers of large amounts of water.

Among new changes, residents can only disconnect from the water system once per year free of charge. If a resident has more than one voluntary disconnect in a calendar year, they’re charged a $100 reconnection fee.

Regarding water fees, all accounts are charged a minimum of $84 per quarter regardless if they have their water turned on or off. According to Enns-Wind’s report, $84 is a fixed cost.

The previous rule said only those whose water is turned on pay a minimum of $84, regardless if water is consumed.

Regarding sewer fees, all accounts are charged a minimum of $51 per quarter regardless if their sewer is on or off, and regardless of water consumption. The bylaw says no adjustments are to be made due to leaks or other plumbing issues.

According to the new bylaw, water use above 30 cubic metres up to 100 cubic metres costs $1.20 per cubic metre (up 10 cents per cubic metre), while water use above 100 cubic metres costs $1.30 per cubic metre. The latter category didn’t formerly exist, and topped out at $1.10 per cubic metre after consumption of 30 cubic metres of water.

Sewer water use up to the first 30 cubic metres used is unchanged, resulting in a $51 fee, although use above that results in increases.

Another change is that rental tenants applying for water service are to pay a new $200 deposit. The deposit is transferable if someone moves in town. Property owners are exempt from the deposit.

Nonpayment once billed can be expensive. Billing and cutoffs are largely unchanged. Bills must be paid within 30 days of the due date, and a reminder is sent with a 14-day notice that service will be disconnected if not paid in full. The town charges a $150 fee if water is reconnected during town working hours, and $250 if reconnected outside town working hours.

Such fees are in addition to funds already owed.

Infrastructure fees are also increasing. Quarterly infrastructure fees are now based on water meter size. A metre less than one inch will cost $56, one to one and a half inches costs $71, while two inches and larger costs $91.

Bulk water rates from the water station remain the same, as $19 per 4.55 cubic metres.

The bylaw changes were introduced and three readings were approved at a single meeting.

Some bylaws town council passes, including discretionary bylaws, are required to be publicly advertised. Mayor Ames Leslie said changes to the water and sewer bylaw were a “change in internal policy,” and didn’t have to be advertised to the public, adding the changes don’t affect a single neighbourhood, but the whole community.

An opportunity for residents to speak up against water and sewer increases, Leslie said, took place in January during budget deliberations.

While council approved the bylaw, the rates must be approved by the Saskatchewan Municipal Board for the new bylaw to take full effect. Approval by the municipal board could take a number of months.