Water Rates Up and Down

Greater Vernon politicians have approved a 3.7 percent increase to water user fees this year.

However, that will be offset a bit by a 5 percent decrease to the base fee.

Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Chair Juliette Cunningham says they are trying to equal revenue from both those fees.

“We’re trying to make it 50-50, so in a year where consumption might be low because of a wet year, we still have fixed costs. So we’re trying to make sure we always have enough revenue coming in,” Cunningham told Kiss FM.
Cunningham says part of the extra revenue from is needed to upgrade infrastructure.

“Old pipes and that kind of thing, because when we have emergency breaks, they cost a tremendous amount of money rather than planning to do it in a timely manner.”

The new rates take effect in April.