It looks like the way the city charges you for water use is about to change.

This year, you’ve been billed with a 60/40 fixed-variable split, meaning 60 per cent of your bill is the same amount every month and the remaining 40 per cent is based on how much water you use.

A council committee is recommending that change to a 50/50 split, which would result in a lower bill for the average homeowner who conserves water.

Chief Financial officer Margaret Karpenko says this means that next year the bill will be $4 lower on the fixed part of the bill.

But, keep in mind, the variable portion will be a bigger percentage, meaning if you don’t conserve water your bill will actually be higher.

The total invoice would be about $79 dollars a month, which represents a 1.2 per cent decrease.

But, if you use a lot of water your bill will actually be higher by about 2 per cent, because the variable rate will be higher.

Meantime, the industrial/commercials sector will see a higher bill.

Councillor Derek Shogren says notice was given last year that the change would be happening.

Also of note, the city has a low flow toilet replacement rebate program and two toilets now apply, up from one.

 

Still at City Hall, the report involving the future of the Dionne Quints home has been moved from one Council Committee to another.