Higher water bills on the horizon

‘Tis the season for higher water bills.

Residential customers can expect rates to soar 27% starting January 1st. The increase will mean HRM customers will see an annual jump of about $120 from what they pay now. Commercial and industrial water users will see increases of 19%.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board released the decision Friday.

The board said the decision will allow the water commission to operate, but also ripped the commission for it’s low quality request. They said there will be a second round of hearings so the commission can prove its actual cost of services. The board’s decision also called it worrisome that top managers’ salaries at Halifax Water jumped by 20 to 40 per cent over between 2007 and 2009, and said it will monitor proposed pay raises in the future.

Despite the bump, it’s still a far cry from 41% hike the Halifax Regional Water Commission had been seeking. The commission says the increase is necessary to help ensure the aging water infrastructure can be maintained.

It’s the first rate increase in about 3 years.

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