WINNIPEG - February 28, 2012 - The City of Winnipeg Public Service recommends an increase in the sewer rate to help pay for $1.2 billion in upgrades to our sewage treatment facilities, which are mandated by the provincial government.
In 2003, the Province ordered the City of Winnipeg to undertake upgrades to remove nitrogen and phosphorous, although Winnipeg contributes only five per cent of the nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into Lake Winnipeg. The planning work is under way and construction is expected to take five to seven years.
"When these upgrades are complete, Winnipeg will have state-of-the-art sewage treatment facilities that will help us do more to protect the environment," said Diane Sacher, Director of the City's Water and Waste Department. "This will ensure a comprehensive and environmentally-sustainable approach to sewage treatment now and in the future, to help protect the health of our rivers and Lake Winnipeg."
The Public Service is recommending an increase to the sewer rate of $.13 per cubic metre, and an increase to the Block 1 water rate of one cent per cubic metre. A water rate increase is necessary to keep up with inflationary increases and to move towards a uniform rate for all classes of customers. With the new rates, the cost of Winnipeg's water and sewer services would be a third of a penny per litre.
"Even with these increases, our residential water and sewer rates remain competitive and are the third-lowest among comparable Canadian cities," Sacher added. "Other cities are faced with similar regulatory challenges in maintaining and upgrading aging systems, and are recommending comparable or higher rate increases."
The increases would be effective April 1, 2012.
Last year's increases were $.05 per cubic metre for the Block 1 water rate and $.06 per cubic metre for the sewer rate.
The 2012 Water and Sewer Rate Report will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on March 5, 2012.