West Kelowna faces signifcant water and sewer rate hikes

WEST KELOWNA – It’s going to cost more for water and sewer service on the Westside after a decision this week to increase utility rates.

Citing significant cost pressures, West Kelowna council gave first and second readings to its fees bylaw, which will see an increase of 20 per cent to district sanitary sewer user fees, a five per cent increase for those on the Central Okanagan Regional District system, and a 15 per cent increase to water rates for all users.

The net effect will be to increase by $13.20 the sewer fee for a single family home on the district system and $14.92 for regional district users. Water users will pay $70 more in Westbank, $45 more on the Pritchard, West Kelowna Estates, Sunnyside systems and $52 for Lakeview system customers.

When combined, the utility increases will range from $73 to $98 for an average single family home.

While the sewer fee increase is retroactive to April 1, 2015, the water increase won’t take effect until July 1, subject to full approval by council at is June 23 meeting.

The price increase comes as a result of the district’s water utility and sanitary sewer utility master plans, both of which have identified requirements for major infrastructure upgrades in coming years.

A water rate study due in the fall will likely identify future price hikes as the district moves to fix system deficiencies.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.