Water and Waste Water Rate Study

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Water and Wastewater Rate Study

Council retained Watson & Associates Economists to undertake a review of current water and wastewater user fees and recommend new fees for the next ten years.

Water rates are intended to cover the cost of purchasing water from the Elgin Area Primary Water System or a neighbouring water system, treating water (Belmont water system), operating the water system, replacing water mains and water infrastructure along with debt for capital replacement and upgrades.

Wastewater rates fund the treatment of sewage, operation of the sanitary sewage collection system including pumping stations, capital replacement and upgrades along with debt for capital replacement and upgrades.

Development charges and sewer connection fees finance are paid by new development and properties connecting to the water or wastewater systems for the first time. This money funds growth related upgrades to the systems.


Council retained Watson & Associates Economists to undertake a review of current water and wastewater user fees and recommend new fees for the next ten years.

Water rates are intended to cover the cost of purchasing water from the Elgin Area Primary Water System or a neighbouring water system, treating water (Belmont water system), operating the water system, replacing water mains and water infrastructure along with debt for capital replacement and upgrades.

Wastewater rates fund the treatment of sewage, operation of the sanitary sewage collection system including pumping stations, capital replacement and upgrades along with debt for capital replacement and upgrades.

Development charges and sewer connection fees finance are paid by new development and properties connecting to the water or wastewater systems for the first time. This money funds growth related upgrades to the systems.


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Why are capitol costs included in the water bill study? Are capital costs not covered by property and development charges and growth related by area specific development charges?

    Lyndsay asked 2 months ago

    Capital costs for water and wastewater are funded in various ways, depending upon the reason for the infrastructure:

    1. By water and wastewater rates - for the portion of the capital costs related to serving existing residents.
    2. By development charges - for the portion of the costs that are built to accommodate growth from development, and for the portion for oversizing to accommodate growth. This relates to the infrastructure required to bring services to a development.
    3. By the developer - for services located within the subdivision being developed.