City Council has approved an 8 per cent increase to the overall water budget and a 7 per cent increase to the overall wastewater and treatment budget for 2012.
The typical homeowner will see a cost increase of 6 cents to 87 cents per day for water, and 8 cents to $1.28 per day for wastewater services, including both sanitary and storm sewers.
The City’s 2012 water and wastewater budgets, approved today at City Council, will enable the City to continue work to replace, renew and rehabilitate current infrastructure, said John Braam, Director of Water and City Engineer.
“This will help London maintain our safe, clean and secure water supply while balancing costs and revenues. These two utilities support our quality of life,” he said.
A number of factors have been taken into account in the 2012 water budget. The first is an increase in the cost of water purchased from both the Lake Huron and Elgin area water supply systems, at a rate of 5 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. As well, funds have been earmarked to improve the City’s water distribution maintenance system, as part of the phased-in 20-year plan.
The wastewater and treatment budget has been developed in keeping with the 20-year sewer system plan. Increases in pay-as-you-go capital financing for lifecycle renewal projects, debt servicing costs and increased contributions to the capital reserve funds supporting system improvements continue to be major drivers of the rates.
The increased awareness and practice of water conservation by Londoners is contributing to the relatively low annual household increase for both water and sewer.
Success in water conservation awareness results in reduced long term capital expansion and less costs.
Average household usage in London declined 22 per cent from 2001 to 2010 and continues to decline, effectively enabling customers to manage their cost of service in spite of rising rates.
Mr. Braam noted there are ways Londoners could avoid an increase in water rates by reducing consumption.
§InInstall a low flow toilet and fix leaky toilets and faucets.
§InInstall low flow showerheads.
§Lit Limit showers to 5-8 minutes.
§ReReplace an old clothes washer with a new high-efficiency model.
§RuTurn on dishwashers only when full.
§PlPPlant native species and drought resistant plants and only water lawns an inch a week.
