ERIN – Mayor Allan Alls has responded to recent concerns about Town of Erin water rates, promising to involve the public in a new study.
In the first edition of the “Mayor’s Message,” a quarterly newsletter that’s part of what the town calls efforts to improve communication, Alls reminded residents water rates have been locked in at $3.99 per cubic metre since 2015.
They were lowered at that time from the previous rate of $4.29/m3 as part of a mandatory water rate study that included public input and extensive debate by council.
There have been many complaints about Erin rates, which are substantially higher than those in many surrounding towns and cities.
More recently, a resident has complained to the Ontario Ombudsman that Erin has not provided an adequate explanation for the high rates. The ombudsman’s office has not confirmed whether it will investigate a matter covered by a municipal bylaw.
A new study examining water needs and rates for 2020 and beyond will start in February, at a cost of $15,000.
“I look forward to working with the public as we establish the water rates for the next five years,” said Alls. “Our current water rates are set based on the number of users we have connected to municipal water. Stated simply, the more users connected to the system, the more likely rates are to be reduced.”
One controversial element of the issue is the town has allowed more than 100 urban homes to remain on private well water, reducing the number of residents contributing to municipal water.
Erin’s water department was dismantled in 2018, with operations contracted out to the Ontario Clean Water Agency, with a savings of more than $200,000 per year.
Those savings could be used to reduce rates or offset the amount of an increase. However, the town already allocates significant water revenue to a reserve fund needed for future improvements to the system and could allocate all or part of the new savings to the reserve.
Many of the improvements will have to wait for construction of a wastewater system, which the mayor says, “will result in successful growth of our town”. That construction is not expected until at least 2024.
Alls said the town is still waiting to hear from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks about appeals made against the completed Wastewater Environmental Assessment.
“We are optimistic that we will receive funding from the provincial/federal government,” he said.
“Residents living in the rural areas will not be connecting to the system, meaning they are not required to contribute to the infrastructure costs – but will benefit from having a nearby waste drop-off centre for their septage.”
