A Water and Wastewater Rate study carried out by the Town of Innisfil’s InnServices corporation recommended an increase in the 2020 rates to meet the town’s long-term financial needs.
The study recommended a two percent hike in the base water/wastewater rates, and a 0.5 percent increase in volumetric rates. Blended, the overall rate hikes come to an increase of one percent.
The increases were intended to be introduced in 2020, but due to the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic, InnServices’ rates were frozen at the 2019 level.
On Wednesday night, Innisfil Council lifted the freeze – which means that water/wastewater rates are going up in 2021, effective February 13.
The residential base rate in 2019 was $275.26 for water, $212.30 for wastewater with a water connection; and $529.36 annually for residents hooked up to sewers but not to municipal water.
The two percent increase will add approximately $9.75 to the annual water/wastewater bill for residents on full services; $10.59 per year for those connected to wastewater services only.
Commercial/Industrial ratepayers on full services will see the base rate increase by $44.96 per year; Institutional users, by $188.36.
The 0.5 percent increase to the variable rate pushes the water rate from 2.16 to 2.17, and wastewater from 1.44 to 1.45.
The report to council, which proposed lifting the freeze, also contained a warning: the rate hikes will not offset revenues lost in 2020 due to the pandemic. Those revenues will likely have to be made up by further rate increases, to meet capital infrastructure needs and maintenance costs.
A comprehensive review will determine the need for future hikes.
Rates in Innisfil are comparable to the Town of Collingwood’s Water/Wastewater rates, and below the benchmark average, according to a graph included in the report – but higher than rates in neighbouring Bradford West Gwillimbury and Barrie.
