A change in the way wastewater bills are calculated in Okotoks shouldn’t impact most water users.
The Town switched from using a seasonal average to a flat rate method when calculating wastewater bills, and the change is reflected in utility bills that were sent to residents this month.
Previously, the Town used a resident’s average wintertime water usage, when water consumption is usually lower, to determine wastewater bills for the whole year.
The new method, approved last year, calculates rates using the actual amount of water that is used year-round, the Town said.
About 75 per cent of water users should not see a big change in their bills, but those who use substantially more water in the summer than in the winter can expect a hike, the Town said.
The top five per cent of water users could see a three per cent increase, while the single top water user would have an increase of 69 per cent, according to the Town.
Someone that uses the same amount of water all year round could see a decrease of about 10 per cent.
Ninety per cent of water used in homes goes into the system, so residents will be charged wastewater fees for 90 per cent of the water they use.
The Town said a flat rate more accurately reflects that not all water goes into the sanitary system, and that it aligns with what other municipalities are doing.
Bi-monthly utility bills include water, sewer, storm sewer and waste collection.
Another change to water billing is an increase in charges for the highest tier of residential water use.
The new Tier 3 rate, which kicks in for water use above 46 cubic metres, climbs from $3.50 to $5.10 per cubic metre.
One cubic metre of water equals 1,000 litres and consumption levels are for a two-month billing period. There are no changes to Tier 1 or 1 rates.
Using 2023 data, the Town said average water usage was about 48 cubic metres in the summer months, and about 32 cubic metres per billing period when averaged over the entire year.
Yet another increase ? I guess, as expected, that new water pipe has to paid for somehow, right? Whenever they 'calculate utility bills differently', it only means increase. So they reduced the garbage pick up frequency ' to save us money on our utility bill only to increase the water and sewer rate. Pretty sneaky! (But not surprising)
Kind of interesting in the story where the 'average' user in town uses 48 cubic meters over the summer yet the Tier 3 kicks in at 46 Cubic meters. That says to me that the threshold is too low in the first place. Add those increases to the upcoming property tax increase and the bills get expensive. Good thing the Natural Gas franchise fee was maxed out by this council, or they would be bumping that one too.
These city councilors are so out of touch with reality it is frightening. Get out and vote.
Yes out of touch like Elon.
They have more money than us…they gave themselves big raise’s last year because darn they deserve it.
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