Editor's Note: This story was previously posted on StratfordToday.ca.
Stratford residents could be looking at a seven per cent increase in their water and a two per cent increase in wastewater rates in the near future after city council voted to accept a report that recommends that course of action at their meeting November 25.
In a staff report submitted to council, a study done by DFA Infrastructure International stated that an increase in water charges of seven per cent per year over the next five years would allow the city to maintain its level of service while also allowing them to better position themselves for future capital projects without having to incur large amount of debt.
For 2025, the report projects there will be 13,653 customers using the city’s water service and 13,504 for wastewater. Those numbers are expected to grow equally by just over 1,500 consumers, so for water charges with a base charge coming from a six inch intake, they would see their water cost rise from $882.75 in 2025 to $1,157.11 in 2029 on a yearly basis. Looking at the wastewater charges using the same six inch intake, the cost would be $126.46 in 2025 before rising to $135.80 by 2029.
Following the report, Jane Marie Mitchell delegated to council and said she doesn’t think the city is doing enough to conserve water – in her words, the more you use, the less you pay.
“Water is a finite commodity and should be treated as such,” she said. “I suggest starting at something like $2.25 for the first two cubic metres, $3 for the next two, $3.75 for the next two and so on. Those who try to conserve water are rewarded with lower rates. They might try collecting water to water the garden, turning the tap off when brushing their teeth to use less water. Other variables could be introduced for large families compared to individual households, something that is fair and equitable yet gets everyone to reduce water consumption.”
She went on to add that data from recent years could help set the cost structure for incentives but still have full cost recovery to be sustainable.
“This same structure could be used for business, industry and agriculture to help them not waste water unnecessarily. This type of water costing should already be in place in Stratford – Guelph, always a good environmental leader, has a document from 2006 with an excellent coverage of the issues connected with this change. I recommend looking at it and giving residents incentives to reduce their water consumption for the future, and I think this could be implemented for 2026 if work begins in 2025.”
The city is scheduled to begin budget deliberations on Thursday, Nov. 28, with Day 2 of the talks set for Tuesday, Dec. 3.
