ERIN – Town council here has approved annual water rate increases of 3 per cent from 2026 to 2030, then 5% per year until 2034.
The decision was made during a Nov. 13 meeting of council.
“The property taxes do not fund the operations of the water systems so a rate structure that is equitable for all users to fund the operating and capital expenditures to deliver water services is required,” said town treasurer Wendy Parr.
The increase follows a water rate study performed by Watson and Associates and brought to council in September.
According to the study, the town currently serves 1,628 water customers with an expected 3,400 new water customers to be added over the next decade.
The report states the water rate increase is a result of inflation, the town’s capital requirements, the non-growth portion of development charge projects and other life cycle-related works, which result in $91.41 million in capital costs between 2025 and 2034.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the increases and offered no comments.
