Owen Sound’s water rate is rising by four per cent this summer.
City council approved the increase at its meeting Monday. It will be applied to the July billing cycle.
A staff report says the average water user in Owen Sound will see the monthly bill rise by just over six bucks.
The four per cent water rate increase is lower than the city previously forecasted for 2024, which was eight per cent.
Owen Sound’s Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan says Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) dollars for the water and wastewater portions of the Alpha Street reconstruction project are the “most significant factor” for the lower than previously anticipated water rate increase.
“I appreciate staff looking at using OCIF opportunities to mitigate those costs, instead of incorporating them into the future rate charges,” says Owen Sound Deputy Mayor Scott Greig. “That has certainly helped bring this (down).”
A report by Allan includes a snapshot of annual residential water charges among some comparable municipalities, at the estimated usage amount for a family of four. The average Owen Sound household pays around $1,600 annually. Collingwood has the lowest number, at just over $1,100. And Meaford ($2,280) and South Bruce Peninsula ($2,338) are among the highest water rates in the area.
