Water and utility costs in the County of Barrhead are going up.
County council approved the increase at its Jan. 11 meeting. The amendment will have an immediate impact on residents’ pocketbook, said County manager Mark Oberg.
“Our goal for the municipality is to break even,” he said.
The rise in rates will affect all metred and unmetred services connected to the water supply line from the town of Barrhead to and including the Hamlet of Manola, Neerlandia and the MacGillivray subdivision.
“Over the years, the standards have changed, and the plant has had to be upgraded,” said water treatment plant operator Mario Acevedo, adding those upgrades are partially responsible for the rate increase.
For the first 10 cubic metres of consumption, the minimum-per-month charge will be $21.46 up from the previous $20.44.
Consuming more than 10 cubic metres will levy a charge of $7.25 per 4.54 cubic metres, up from the previous $6.90.
Unmetred services for individual residential dwelling units will see a rise in rates to $35.28, up from the pervious $34.60 a month, while all other applications will see their rate increase to $55.13 for each unit, up from $54.07.
Service call rates will be going up as well. The rate for service during regular business hours is now $32.45, up from $30.90, while service calls after normal business hours will cost $54.07, up from $51.50.
Special metre reading other than service termination is now $32.45, up from 30.90, while metre testing is now $32.45, up from $30.90.
Reconnection of water service that has been disconnected due to non-payment is now $32.45, up from $30.90, while the rate for disconnecting water service during normal business hours is now $32.45, up from $30.90
Customers requesting a service call will be billed for a minimum of one hour.
The water treatment plant draws it water from the Paddle River and services more than 4,300 residents, pumping up to 56 litres a second.
