Saturday, February 19, 2011

Block water rates in Vernon on the rise

Contributed - Castanet  Feb 19, 2011 / 5:00 am
The Regional District of North Okanagan - Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) has recommended the Rising Block Water Rates. This is a system where there is an escalating charge for increasing amounts of water consumption in each of the four quarters in a year. Rising Block Water Rates also encourages water conservation.  The GVAC has also recommended that the quarterly Base Fee be increased from $50.17 per quarter in 2010 to $66.20 per quarter for 2011. For 2011, the quarterly Base Fee will include the initial 10 cubic metres of consumption. The implementation of higher Base Water Rates is to ensure an adequate fixed income to operate the water utility. The fixed costs to operate the utility are in the order of 80% of the total operating costs, therefore an increase to the fixed revenue will enable more effective operation of the water utility.
The approved residential Block Water Rates are as follows:

2010 2011
Block Base Fee $50.17 $66.20 per quarter
1 0-10 cubic metres $0.00 $0.00 per cubic metre
2 10-40 cubic metres $0.92 $0.78 per cubic metre
3 40-80 cubic metres $0.92 $0.92 per cubic metre
4 over 80 cubic metres $0.92 $1.24 per cubic metre
3rd quarter surcharge $0.18 $0.00 per cubic metre
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Don Quixote Note:
Water Calculator for Proposed 2011 Rates as passed at GVSC Feb 17

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