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By Shaun Penner

County water, wastewater rates set to go up

Feb 25, 2019 | 4:45 PM

Residents in the County of Grande Prairie should soon be expecting increases to their water and wastewater rates.

Council passed an amendment to the County-Aquatera Utility Bylaw on Monday, in which water usage rates will increase by 2.5%. Wastewater fees are set to make a much bigger climb, going up by 12%. Solidwaste rates are set to remain consistent with 2018 values.

Aquatera Interim CEO Jeff Pieper explains that major investment in the county is the biggest reason for the rise in wastewater rates.

“Here in Clairmont, we are investing close to $40 million in new infrastructure with the Clairmont Lagoon Discharge Project that is going to connect the wastewater system into the city system and be treating the wastewater down at the plant,” said Pieper. “As well, we are looking at a new regional system in Clairmont as well to promote future expansion in the area.”

The lagoon system that the county is on currently has reached capacity according to Pieper, which is due in large part to the growth in population. Connecting the county’s sewage system to the city’s will help alleviate the burden on the lagoon.

These rate hikes come about a month after Aquatera announced utility rates in Grande Prairie, with water and wastewater going up by 2.5%. While water usage rates are uniform with the City of Grande Prairie (as per their shareholder’s agreement), the County is seeing a significant jump from that of the city. Pieper emphasized that is because of the large amount of infrastructure investment in the area.

“We try to keep our rates within the median of comparable cities in Alberta,” said Pieper. “The city sits below the median and Clairmont sits slightly above the median. That’s comparing to cities like Red Deer and Lethbridge.”

The County will be sending out notices in the near future, which will detail when the new rates will take effect.

by Shaun Penner