Water, sewer rates going up

by Wayne Moore CASTANET- Feb 12, 2015 / 4:36 pm
Water and sewer rates in Kelowna are going up by two per cent. The utility increases for 2015 and 2016 are for operation, maintenance and capital improvements associated with each. The city's water utility provides water to approximately half the city's residents, with the remainder served by four water improvement districts. As part of a review of the water utility, it was determined replacement costs of aging infrastructure will cost in the neighbourhood of $43 million during the next 20 years. This includes between $9 million and $11 million to replace aging water meters over the next few years. The two per cent increase will mean an additional 59 cents per month in 2015 for the typical residence using 41 cubic litres of water per month. The increase will jump to an additional 60 cents a month in 2016. A proposed two per cent hike is also proposed for the wastewater utility, which provides collection and treatment service to approximately 70 per cent of all city residents. A review of that utility shows a forecast expenditure of approximately $76 million in asset renewal over the next 20 years. The increase will amount to an additional 38 cents a month for residents in 2015 and 39 cents a month in 2016. City council is expected to approve the rate increases Monday.