Victoria residents and businesses can expect a larger-than-average jump in their water and sewer utility bills next year.
On average, homeowners will pay an additional $18 per year for sewer and $25 for water.
Businesses will see an average increase of $432 per year for sewer and $600 for water.
“We’re overburdening business,” Coun. Shellie Gudgeon said. “It’s small increases after small increases in many different areas.”
As former owner of Fifth Street Bar and Grill, she paid upwards of $30,000 annually for water, she said.
“What are we doing to encourage and work with businesses to find solutions?”
Compared with neighbouring municipalities, Victoria’s water rates sit at the low end of the scale for 2012.
Next year’s hike is mostly needed to replace aging infrastructure. However, the cost of water is also on the rise. That’s because the region continues to cut its consumption, meaning the price per unit needs to rise to keep overall revenue steady.
rholmen@vicnews.com