Innisfil water and wastewater rates scheduled to jump this year

On average, residents may be paying $25.64 more for municipal service
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope January 19 2011
Water and wastewater rates could be rising this year.
It could cost the average resident about $25.64 more per year, to use municipal water and wastewater services, if proposed increases are passed by the town. Councillors reviewed the proposed changes during a meeting last week. Under the proposed changes, the average resident will pay about $1,165.66 this year, up from $1,140.02 in 2010. The base water rate will increase by about 7.32 per cent, with the per cubic metre charge rising by 1.27 per cent. The basic wastewater fee would jump by about 6.29 per cent, but per cubic metre rates are expected to remain unchanged.
“Water and wastewater have had to bear the most legislation over the last few years,” said councillor Lynn Dollin. “If you’re going to cut corners, I don’t think potable water is where you want to do that. There is a cost, but it’s a cost worth paying.”
Although rates are higher in Innisfil, when compared to most other local municipalities, geography and long-term planning have become significant factors.
“Innisfil does appear to be above average, one of the contributing factors is the community we are in. We’ve got various communities that contribute to higher operating costs than what a more densely populated municipality might be able to achieve,” said deputy treasurer Audrey Webb. “The province, through various initiatives, is basically communicating to municipalities their long-term goal of a fully sustainable system. We’re probably ahead of some of the other municipalities. I’m not sure a lot of municipalities are in the same position we are, in terms of working towards that.”
However, other changes have been passed, which specifically affect Sandycove Acres residents. During the meeting, council agreed to implement a two-year phased-in wastewater rate for Sandycove Acres, aimed at restoring ‘historic’ funding levels within the retirement community.
“(A 1993) bylaw established a reduced rate for Sandycove Acres. Previously, they had maintained their own private system for both the treatment and disposal of wastewater,” said director of finance Lockie Davis. “The rate at that time represented (66 per cent) of the charge for a single family unit, and remained in place until 2005. In 2005, the current rate structure was implemented, which split the base and variable rate component, on the basis of the volume of effluent discharged.”
By the end of the phase-in period, each unit will be charged an extra $3.18 per month, he said.
The change was developed in response to a complaint from Royal Oak Park homeowners late last year. The 78- unit park is located in Cookstown, with the developer charged base water and wastewater rates of $151.74 and $128.54 per unit, respectively. They are also charged variable fees, based on metered consumption.
Basically, the homeowners complained Sandycove residents were getting a better deal. By comparison, the municipality only provides wastewater services within Sandycove, with flows metered off-site and monitored by the town at that time. Sandycove owns and maintains its wastewater system. Each Sandycove unit is charged $49.20 per year, and a variable fee based on metered flow.
“If the rate were to be increased beyond its current level, the financial impact on both Sandycove Acres Limited and the residents would be substantial,” said Sandycove Acres Limited vicepresident Roderick Rice, in a letter to council. “The primary rationale in support of the discounted rate was that at the time, the average population in Sandycove Acres was 1.72 persons per unit, compared with 2.65 in the larger community. Per unit occupancy in Sandycove Acres has gradually lowered to 1.55. The discounted rate more closely reflected the population allocations at that time. An even stronger argument can be made today.”
However, the town was only recovering about 38 per cent of the cost paid by an average home, said Davis
“Using the 2010 base rates, Sandycove Acres was charged … approximately 38 per cent of the full rate,” he said. “Several components of major infrastructure are used to convey the sanitary load into our facility. Engineering and wastewater services staff indicate the significantly reduced base rate is not appropriate, given the capital asset replacement cost.”