(Posted 7:30 a.m., Feb. 24)
Planning and environment committee approves 10% increase in water rate
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Ottawa residents can expect another 10 per cent increase in their water and sewer bill this year after the city's planning and environment committee endorsed the third installment of a three year plan to boost water revenues.

The 10 per cent increase equates to an additional $56 a year for the average household and come on top of a 3.77 per cent tax increase approved earlier this month which will cost the average homeowner an additional $138.

The increase will generate roughly $189 million, most of which will be spent on capital investments including $4 million to reduce flood risks in the west end; $24 million to improve outflows to the Ottawa River and $127.2 million to maintain and expand existing infrastructure.

The hike also includes $735,520 in administration costs which were transferred from the tax bill to the water and sewer bill as part of an omnidus motion aimed at limiting the tax increase to 3.77 per cent.

City council is expected to ratify the committee recommendation during their next meeting in March. Once it's put in place, it will bring the total increase in water and sewer rates to 28 per cent since 2008.

The hefty increases will likely continue as the city looks for additional revenue to defend the Ottawa River Action plan which calls for a total investment of $240 million to reduce sewage outflows to the Ottawa River.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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