Georgian Bluffs council will discuss a consultant’s report tonight that recommends the township increase water rates by 5.5 per cent annually.
The study by DFA Infrastructure projects the cost of water and wastewater systems in the township for the next ten years.
Georgian Bluffs doesn’t have a central water system, but operates four separate ones in East Linton, Oxenden, Shallow Lake and Pottawatomi.
Cost of the respective water systems are recovered from operating (non-rate) revenues and water rate revenues collected through direct billing to customers.
The water rate study says 5.5 per cent annual rate increases are required to ensure financial sustainability. Water rates fund the township’s new water related debt servicing, capital replacement needs, contributions to water reserves, and operating costs increases.
If implemented, the recommended rate increase would affect users of all four water systems in the township.