Trenton Water Utility Water Rate Increase
- Details
- Published: Thursday, 06 April 2023 09:03
TOWN OF TRENTON PUBLIC NOTICE
Trenton Water Utility Water Rate Increases
The Town of Trenton, on behalf of its Water Utility, applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for approval to amend its Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and its Schedule of Rules and Regulations. After due public notice, a hearing was held on December 14, 2022. The Schedule of Rates and Charges, including the public fire protection charge were approved by the Board, for Water and Water Services supplied on and after April 1, 2023, April 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, respectively.
The average water bill in Nova Scotia is currently between $135 and $145 per quarter. In Trenton, the average water bill is currently $64 per quarter which equates to only $21 per month. The last water rate increase in Trenton was effective April 1, 2011, with no increase in 12 years.
Proposed increases for an average home (with four residents) are:
- Effective April 1, 2023 – from $64.20 to $141.60 per quarter
(Average increase of $309.60/year, $77.40/quarter, $5.95/week, or 85 cents/day) - Effective April 1, 2024 – from $141.60 to $165.47 per quarter
(Average increase of $95.48/year, $23.87/quarter, $1.84/week, or 26 cents/day) - Effective April 1, 2025 – from $165.47 to $199.40 per quarter
(Average increase of $135.72/year, $33.93/quarter, $2.61/week, or 37 cents/day
A large part of the increase, specifically in years 2 and 3, is the result of replacing the aging reservoir and upgrading the water pressure booster station and treatment plant. These improvements are essential for the delivery of safe drinking water.
Approved increases are related to the changing provincial and federal environmental standards for drinking water, as well as the increases in costs for: