Halifax Water is seeking two rate hikes – each valued at more than eight per cent – over the next two years. The utility is also proposing a temporary deficit-elimination rate rider for water and stormwater customers that could further increase residential rates. Halifax Water has submitted a general rate application to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board. The first hike would increase the average residential bill by 8.4 per cent on April 1, 2027, while the second would raise it by 8.2 per cent on April 1, 2028. Kenda MacKenzie, the utility’s general manager, previously told CTV News Atlantic they were considering seven-to-eight per cent rate hikes. She noted the increases are needed to cover salaries, chemicals, fuel and aging infrastructure. “We are making every effort we can to keep the rates as low as we can, we continue to look through cost containment measures for efficiencies where we can to better improve the rates,” said MacKenzie. Halifax Water says its current application reflects expected staff vacancies, external funding efforts and revised forecasts. They also cited issues with inflation, depleted reserve funds and workforce growth. “This application reflects a difficult balance: keeping services affordable while managing rising costs, meeting regulatory requirements and renewing critical infrastructure,” MacKenzie said in a news release. “These investments are needed to continue providing safe, reliable water, wastewater and stormwater services as our region grows.” In its application, Halifax Water says its proposed rate rider would represent 0.7 per cent of the 8.4 per cent increase in 2027 (or 65 cents per month) and 0.7 per cent of the 8.2 per cent increase in 2028 (or $1.44 per month). “The rider would appear as a separate charge on customer bills to recover the approved accumulated deficits over no more than five years,” the release reads. “It would be reviewed as part of Halifax Water’s next General Rate Application and removed once the approved deficit balance for each service has been recovered.” The appeals board will review the application through its public process. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Callum Smith For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
