Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 11, 2010 6:00 PM
Farmers say they are being unfairly tapped by higher water costs. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee was told Thursday that an across-the-board nine per cent hike in water rates goes against an agreement that agricultural customers would only be billed for improvements to water quantity and pressure, not quality. “We take exception to costs being loaded on to agriculture that aren’t necessary,” said Ted Osborn, the agricultural director on the GVAC board. GVAC, through the North Okanagan Regional District, recently announced that all water customers will pay nine per cent more in 2010.
One of the primary reasons for the increase is to pay for the new Duteau Creek treatment plant debt and operation of the facility. However, Osborn says the Duteau Creek plant is for improving water quality, something that’s not required for irrigating crops or looking after livestock. “We take great exception that agricultural rates will be increased by nine per cent,” he said. “Agricultural only agreed to the cost of living.” The average flate rate for an agricultural customer is $212 per hectare a year. A nine per cent increase in rates would generate an additional $19 per hectare a year. David Sewell, finance general manager, believes some of the nine per cent increase in revenue will benefit farmers. “Some are for quantity and pressure and maintenance of the system now and in the future,” he said. Osborn’s concerns have also created challenges because the water utility’s budget is expected to be adopted by the NORD board Wednesday. “Any decision to deviate from the nine per cent will have financial implications (for the budget),” said Sewell. In the end, GVAC directors passed a motion asking the regional district board to ensure the increase in water rates reflects improvements to water quantity and pressure. “We want to ensure we’re following the principles of the master water plan,” said director Buffy Baumbrough.
2 comments:
Are we to believe that $9.50 increase per acre is going to bankrupt a farmer. Perhaps they should consider the cost of drilling a well.
They certainly don't consider what the consumer has to pay for their products ie, tomato's, vegetables and meat. The increases for these products in the last year are more in the 25 to 40%.
Finally Rolke has written something about water rates. Up until now he has been asleep-although in fairness to him,he does not understand anything that involves a dollar sign.Baumbrough's comments are so wise! What the hell is she talking about.Didn't the present set of rates already meet with her approval-did she as usual not understand what she was looking at?
Post a Comment