Board approves Halifax Water’s rate hikes for January and April

Halifax Water’s proposed rate hikes for January and April have been approved.

The Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board has approved Halifax Water’s proposed 12.1 per cent and six per cent rate hikes for January and April, respectively.

The board originally directed the water utility to amend its first proposal – which would have spiked water and wastewater service rates for residential customers by 15.8 per cent in January and 17.1 per cent in April – last month, saying it needed to adjust its revenue requirements.

Halifax Water submitted a revised proposal with a 12.1 per cent hike in January and a 5.5 per cent hike in April. It then submitted another revision that included the six per cent increase for April.

Halifax Water said the approved rate hike will increase the average household bill by $9.28 per month in January and an additional $5.11 per month in April.

Halifax Water said the approved rate hike will increase the average household bill by $9.28 per month in January and an additional $5.11 per month in April.

“Today’s decision provides the funding we need to mitigate further deficits and continue making the strategic investments required to support our customers and a rapidly growing municipality,” said Kendra MacKenzie, general manager and CEO of Halifax Water, in a news release. “We recognize that many households are facing financial pressures, and that’s why we remain committed to delivering safe, reliable services and the best possible value for our community.”

According to the decision, the minimum monthly water bill after April 1 for a 15 mm meter (which the Halifax Water website describes as a “typical residential”) will be $13 while the minimum quarterly bill will be $39.

Non-metered domestic customers will be charged $37 monthly and $111 quarterly after April 1.

Typical residential customers will also pay $14 minimum monthly for wastewater services and $42 quarterly. Non-metered domestic customers will pay $48 monthly and $144 quarterly.

Under the new rate, the Halifax Regional Municipality shall pay a $6.75-million right of way charge for Halifax Water’s stormwater service while the provincial government will pay a $1.71 million charge after April 1.

In its decision, the board said the water utility will need to file an update on its rate affordability study and its H2O program ahead of its next general rate application, which is slated to be submitted this September.

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