Water and sewer rates rising in the new year

Water and sewer rates for 2015 will again take a jump.

“During 2015 budget deliberations, it was identified that the waterworks budget required a 4.5 per cent increase in operational funding,” reported Shannon Bell, Director of Finance with the City of Yorkton.

The majority of the increase is due to escalating costs of PVC materials such as pipe and fleet rentals, detailed a report circulated to the regular meeting of Council Monday.

“With extra revenue generated from growth, the utility can remain self-sufficient with a 2.5 per cent rate increase,” said Bell.

With this budget, the utility is continuing replacement of underground infrastructure through its water and sewer line replacement programs. This budget also includes placing approximately $1,000,000 in reserves for future capital works, stated the report.

“The next major upgrade to be proposed for the 2016 capital budget will be the 42 inch sewage outfall line, from York Road to the wastewater treatment plant,” said Bell.

Other plans are the Broadway Street reconstruction which will be based on the City receiving approval from the Building Canada Funds grant. In the future another large capital project will be the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade that will be required based upon the new federal regulations.

“The utility is required to be self-sufficient and future expenditures will focus on replacing and expanding water/sewer line infrastructure,” said Bell.

With the proposed rates, a family of three using 5,500 gallons per month of consumption will have a monthly bill increase to $76.85/month from $74.95/month or $1.90/month increase.

The increase was unanimously passed Council.