North Bay Water Rates

NORTH BAY - One North Bay business could see water bills reach a peak of more than

$12,000 a year if water costs are determined using meter size.

The city's special water committee went into closed session to discuss how the new pricing system would impact specific commercial operations.

"We need to know who the big users are" . "We want to be fair to everyone and we don't want to put anyone out of business over water rates."

The special committee has been looking for an equitable water costing formula for two months and is due to bring its recommendations to city council on Sept. 8. However, the committee has determined it needs more time before presenting a final report."We need to get this equity right" 

Committee members have agreed to a flat rate for water services adjusted according to meter size with all users paying the same price per cubic metre of water, appears to be the fairest.

If this adjusted billing system is approved, it would go into effect in 2016 with homeowners paying a flat rate of $30.40 per month. Industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) users would see fees ranging from $79.04 to $1,575.74 a month. All would be charged 99 cents a cubic metre for the water used.

Currently, residential billing represents 73 per cent of the city's water revenue with 1C1 users picking up only 27 per cent of the tab Ihe new adjusted rate plan covers five years and proposes a gradual shift in the fixed and variable water rates from the present 60/40 ratio, to a 30/70 ratio in 2019. At that time homeowners would be paying 57 per cent of the water revenue and larger users 43 per cent,

Other similar-sized communities, have billing variations of anywhere from 91 percent to 41 percent of the costs being borne by residential users.

"As we approach equity that may or may not mean (billing) is equal," said Maroosis.  Council has ever discussed going to a 30/70 split. We will have to consider if we want to go beyond 50/50."

The committee will meet again on Sept, 14 will make a decision on the declining rates. I think we are all content that meter size had to be

considered, bul we need to discuss how we are going to deal with the large users''