BARRHEAD - Town of Barrhead residents' bi-monthly utilities will be going up.
On Dec. 10, councillors unanimously accepted administration's recommendation to increase town residents' water, sewer, and garbage pickup rates, approving the Municipal Public Utilities Bylaw.
Due to the increases, most average residents will see their utility bills increase by about five per cent.
Corporate services director Jennifer Mantay said the increase in water rates to $2.60 per cubic metre was necessary because the Barrhead Regional Water Commission (BRWC) increased its water rates.
The BRWC is an independent body comprised of members of the Barrhead municipalities. The commission owns the region's water infrastructure, pipelines, and treatment plant. It sells the water to the municipalities, which, in turn, resell it to their residents.
In 2024, the water commission sold water to the municipalities for $2.44 per cubic metre. Starting in 2025, this will increase to $2.51 per cubic metre, a 2.9 per cent increase. The $60 base rate remains unchanged.
Water, sewer, garbage, and recycling services are self-supporting utilities, and user revenue is expected to cover costs.
The 2025 operating budget for water, sewer, trade waste (oils and chemicals), recycling, and landfill is $3.8 million.
However, Mantay said the costs of providing the services, including the replacement of infrastructure, are increasing, and the municipality can no longer provide the service at cost. That is why, in 2025, she recommends the municipality increase the rate it charges residents by nine cents.
The administration recommended no changes to the bulk water rate, which is $9.50 and $12.50 per cubic metre for account holders and non-account holders, respectively.
Sewer rates
Mantay said that municipal sewer rates have typically been 35 per cent of water rates, adding that the last time the town increased the percentage was in 2013.
But she said as the municipality is facing significant upgrades to its wastewater infrastructure, most notably at its lagoon, admin recommends they increase the percentage to 40 per cent.
At the Nov. 12 council meeting, Mantay announced the municipality could potentially be facing $22 million to upgrade its wastewater lagoon. The upgrades are necessary due to changes in new provincial standards.
Garbage rates
Mantay said that after reviewing the garbage pickup rates, administration believes they don't need to be increased to maintain the same level of service.
The exception is for the commercial lite service, which is presently set at $24.90 per month for once-a-week pickup of a 65 or 95-gallon cart.
"We do have some businesses that use the service more than once a week, but we were not able to charge them more because there was no provision under the bylaw," she said, adding that is why they are proposing to add $10.95 per month for every additional pickup day. "Only a handful of companies, mostly on Main Street, will see a difference."
Water meter installation
The remaining increase under the new bylaw is for water meter installation, increasing the labour rate for installation from $35 during working hours and $100 outside of regular hours to $50 and $130, respectively.
Mantay also added a new section to the bylaw, basically to inform ratepayers that there is a process they can follow if they would like to appeal a municipal utility service fee to the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
