Whitby: Durham Regional Council has approved the 2020 water and sanitary sewer user rates, with a combined increase of 2.3 per cent.
These approved user rates–which cover costs related to system operation and capital projects–will take effect on January 1, 2020.
This translates to $5.56 per quarterly billing ($22.24 per year) for the average Durham Region household. This represents an increase of less than seven cents a day for the average residential customer, said a region media release.
“Durham Region continues to deliver essential services which protects the water environment and provides safe, clean water for all our residents,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “This modest increase in user rates supports the continued investment in maintaining and renewing infrastructure while servicing growth within our urban areas.”
The statement said in addition to ongoing maintenance and operation of the water and sanitary sewer system, Durham Region has several major projects in 2020 including:
- Replacing 20 kilometres of pipes and two facilities;
- Planning for Environmental Assessments for Ajax Water Supply Plant (WSP), Bowmanville WSP and the Corbett
- Creek Water Pollution Control Plant;
- Construction of Phase 3 of the Courtice Trunk Sanitary Sewer.
Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer rates are one of the lowest of the 13 larger municipalities in Ontario and fall below the average rate of these 13 larger municipalities, said the statement.
Continued investment in an aging municipal water system is required to protect this important resource, and to meet obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, it added.
The Region’s water and sanitary sewer rates are reviewed on an annual basis, with recommendations made to Regional Council in December. For more information on Durham Region’s water and sewer rate increases visit durham.ca/waterandsewer.
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