Effective April 2012 SaskWater rates are going up.
SaskWater reports it has experienced increased operating costs on all of its systems due to rising electricity/energy costs, water treatment costs, purchased water increases and increased regulatory requirements. As well, SaskWater must make continued investments in capital upgrades, expansions and infrastructure replacements to support a growing customer base.
The multi-year increase affects customers who do not have scheduled annual rate adjustments as a part of their agreement; this includes 23 communities, five rural municipalities, 80 rural pipeline groups, 10 industrial customers as well as 189 commercial and end user connections.
"SaskWater, like any utility provider, faces rising operating costs, aging infrastructure and evolving regulations," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation Dustin Duncan says. "Safe, reliable, quality water is valuable to Saskatchewan communities and the rates must reflect the costs of providing that resource and provide for infrastructure renewals and expansion."
Rates will increase by seven per cent or nine per cent for potable (drinking) water customers for a total of 21 per cent and 27 per cent over three years. Non-potable customers affected by the increase will see rates raised based on the cost of service in their given service area. The increases range from three per cent to 24 per cent over three years. The majority of water used by this group of customers is being accessed for industrial/commercial use.
The 2012 potable water adjustment will result in an average increase of $4.26 a month. SaskWater primarily provides water to municipalities and rural pipeline groups who make their own decisions on how increases are transferred to their individual household customers.
