By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Chatham-Kent’s water and wastewater customers will be paying more for water this year.
Approved by the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) board at a recent meeting, water rates are increasing $5.42 a month for water and another $5.49 a month for wastewater. It means an average family will be paying $130 more over the course of the year.
According to PUC general manager Darren Galbraith, the number is based on the consumption in a home with three to four people, as they will use approximately 17 cubic metres of water per month. It estimated that usage for seniors or people living alone is significantly less at three cubic metres per month.
To put it in perspective, the average bath uses 150 litres of water, while an eight-minute shower uses 75 litres.
CKPUC chair Carmen McGregor said the increases in the report reflect the years from 2024 to 2034, noting the increases are the same for 2025-2027 with lower increases starting in 2028.
However, McGregor said this could still change when the water and wastewater master plan, the development charge study and finally the water and wastewater rates study.
“In the past the increases were kept low and didn’t even cover inflation and now we are unfortunately playing catch up,” McGregor said. “We are faced with doubling of cost in projects and construction. The master plan has identified an increase in projects due to the projected increase in population and they will need to be funded by rates. Hopefully, we will be successful in some provincial and federal grants as it would help in stabilizing the rates.”
The rate increases are being made in conjunction with the PUC’s water and wastewater master plan developed in 2014. Under the Municipal Act, the CKPUC is required to pass a by-law to impose fees or charges related to water and wastewater systems.
In 2024, the PUC approved a Water and Wastewater Rate Study and in December, the commission approved its financial plan. The plan included forecasted rates from 2024 – 2031 and the Rate Study from 2024 – 2034. The PUC has followed an approved financial plan for the water and wastewater rates since 2014.
