The owner of a local car wash says the township’s rates under the new metered water system are having a serious impact on his Drayton operation.
Henry Brouwer told council on Nov. 10 his water bills for the Drayton car wash were $550 every two months under the previous flat rate system.
“I will admit that was probably a really good deal on water,” said Brouwer.
However, he pointed out, “I’m now playing $2,000 every two months so I’ve had a (300 per cent) increase on my slow months.”
Brouwer said he had expected his costs to go up, perhaps even double, under the new system.
“A (300 per cent) increase on a small business seems pretty extensive,” he said.
Noting the township had monitored water usage for about a year before switching to metered billing, Brouwer said he was “curious when you would have noticed my water usage and calculated what my rate was going to be, why a (300 per cent increase) didn’t set off any red flags or concerns?”
Brouwer said he expects his costs to rise even higher during the winter months, when it’s necessary to weep water through the lines to keep them from freezing.
Councillor Dennis Craven asked how the rates were impacting Brouwer’s Moorefield car wash.
Brouwer said costs for the Moorefield business have actually dropped slightly, because the operation has been less busy since the Drayton car wash opened up.
Noting some municipalities have different rates for commercial users, Brouwer asked if a two-tiered rate system could be considered in Mapleton.
“The way things are right now I’m not going to be able to keep paying those rates,” he said.
Councillor Dennis Craven said, “That certainly seems like a ridiculous increase.”
While acknowledging water rates need to cover the cost of the system, Craven stated, “it’s still got to be a reasonable rate, right? And I think that’s why there’s a commercial rate in a lot of townships.
“We’ve had a problem in the past in this township of keeping businesses here. If we’re going to have an unreasonable water rate, that’s what’s going to happen. They’re going to go where the water’s cheaper.”
However, Craven pointed out, “up until we started charging the metered rate, maybe you weren’t paying enough.”
Councillor Michael Martin said he feels a tiered rate structure is “worth looking at.
“I struggle with higher rates promoting conservation, versus a fixed number council needs to receive for spending and capital projects,” he noted.
CAO Brad McRoberts said council could look at the idea of adjusting rates during upcoming budget discussions.
Brouwer asked if anything could be done about his high water bills in the interim.
McRoberts said the water rates are established by a bylaw, so it’s unlikely anything could be done in terms of interim relief prior to council considering changes to the bylaw.
Craven wondered if future rate relief could be made retroactive.
“I wouldn’t think it would be,” said McRoberts.
Brouwer also advised council he sells town water in small containers through a vending machine. “Is this something that’s allowed?” he asked.
McRoberts said council could amend the bylaws to specifically allow the sale of water in small containers.
