West Kelowna ratepayers can expect higher utility bill next month

Posted: Thursday, June 26, 2014 4:22 pm kelowna Daily Courier
West Kelowna residents will see a substantial increase on their July utility bill, a result of increased costs associated with the Regional Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant. West Kelowna said in a news release Wednesday it was advised by the Regional District of Central Okanagan that it would be charged an additional $494,265 for sewer service based on adjustment to the sewer flow calculation for the community. A further $210,000 increase would be billed to the municipality to pay for increased biosolid hauling costs. West Kelowna residents will see a rate increase of 22.92 per cent ($49.24 annually per household) on RDCO sewer rates, beginning on the next utility bill to be distributed in July. Partially offsetting the sewer rate increase is a reduction in recycling fees. Incentive funds provided from Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC) for communities that participate in recycling programs will be used to reduce the cost of recycling to residents. Altogether, these changes will result in a net annual increase of $30.80 on the utility bill for an average single-family home, beginning next month.