The average ratepayer will have to pay about $84.58 more for water and wastewater services
The City of St. Catharines has greenlit this year's water and wastewater budget.
The budget includes new rates for water and wastewater services.
The average ratepayer will have to pay an extra $84.58 this year.
This comes as the Niagara Region continues to increase its water and wastewater rates annually to ensure program sustainability.
The Region controls about 45 percent of water expenditures and 72 percent of wastewater expenditures, resulting in higher costs for the city.
Officials say St. Catharines still has some of the lowest water-wastewater services in Niagara, with only Pelham and Niagara Falls charging less.
"As a lower-tier municipality, our budget is not only challenged by fixed and operational costs but also rising costs controlled by Niagara Region. We also need to address continued investments that mitigate environmental damage and costs associated with leaks or main breaks," said Director of Financial Management Services and City Treasurer Kristine Douglas. "These investments, however, put a focus on ensuring consistent delivery of safe, affordable and high-quality drinking water today, and into the
future."
The new rates take effect tomorrow.
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