Vancouver raises rates for water, sewer, garbage

CBC News  Posted:Dec 14, 2011 6:37 AM PT

Vancouver city council has approved rate hikes for some essential services.  City residents will pay almost 10 per cent more for sewer and water services next year, and 5.7 per cent more for garbage disposal.  In total, the average taxpayer will pay between $80 and $85 more in 2012.  Mayor Gregor Robertson said the increases are at least partly due to decisions made years ago.  “Unfortunately, past councils did not make the investments in infrastructure in water or sewer or landfill, and that means we’re having to make up ground now,” Robertson said after Tuesday’s council meeting. Much of the money is needed to upgrade the sewer system and to help pay off big regional projects like the water filtration plant on the North Shore.  NPA councillor George Affleck voted against the increases. “All in one year seems significant,” Affleck said. “Let’s take a longer term approach with how these utilities operate.”
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  http://vancouver.ca/fs/treasury/utility/flatRates.htm

• Garbage Cart (size)
• Recycling
• Sewer – 1 Dwelling
• Water – 1 Dwelling
• Yard Trimmings Cart (size)

Metered Water and Sewer  http://vancouver.ca/fs/treasury/utility/meterRates.htm

Properties that have more than two dwellings or are over ½ an acre in size are metered for water and sewer charges. These properties do not have the flat rate Water and Sewer charges billed on their tax notice and instead have water meters which are read and billed every three months based on the consumption registered on the meter. These properties may have Recycling, Garbage and Yard Trimming Carts on their Property Tax Notice and will often also have a charge for a Fireline and/or Cross Connection Fees.