No water rate increases for the next two years

On Thursday the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) approved Halifax Water’s recommendation that there be no increase in water rates for fiscal 2020/21 and 2021/22; and no increase in overall wastewater rates in 2020/21.  An increase to wastewater treatment/usage charges is approved to take effect April 1, 2021. 

Halifax Water General Manager Cathie O’Toole said, “Halifax Water’s initial request to increase rates was filed prior to the pandemic. Recognizing many customers were concerned about the future and their ability to pay bills, a longer-term strategy was developed that allowed Halifax Water to reduce its requested rate increases, while continuing to maintain high quality, reliable and affordable service”. 

To further assist customers, Halifax Water also withdrew some planned increases to miscellaneous fees and charges and introduced some temporary customer assistance programs.

The NSUARB also approved Halifax Water’s enhanced lead service line replacement program that will help eliminate public and private lead service lines by 2039. For additional details see https://www.halifaxwater.ca/lead-drinking-water.

Cathie O’Toole also noted that “the Decision also provides some important guidance from the NSUARB that will shape our future activities.  We wish to thank all members of the public, stakeholders, and intervenors that participated in the public hearing process.”

For more information on the rate decision, visit www.halifaxwater.ca/2020-rate-application.

For more information on Halifax Water, please check www.halifaxwater.ca, visit us on YouTube, or Twitter @HalifaxWater, Facebook, or call our Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.

Source: Release