On 11/27 Council agenda there is a Staff report on the subject of rates for water and and waste water.  As has been reviewed previously our water rates are very much driven by the rates being charged by York Region; and as reported previously YR has indicated that the whole sale cost of supplying water and treating weastewater will continue to increase at a blended rate of 9% per annum through 2020.  The combined estimated increase for the average residential user is 11.5% , $138.94.  No question this is significant but given the reality that water is a scarce, critical asset and the need to be providing quality maintenance and contributing to future replacement it is necessary.

The key principles behind the rate structure is to achieve full cost recovery and to encourage/incent conservation. I will be questioning how effectively the latter is being achieved.

• There is a flat constant rate for wastewater.  This is considered to be appropriate relief for those who use water in landscaping for example as the water consumed does not have to be treated in the sanitary sewer system.  Is there any data to show that it does incent conservation.
• Is the tiered structure for waste water adequate i.e. should high consumers be charged more?