Cambridge council debating motion on who’s responsible for unpaid water bills

Cambridge City Council will debate a motion calling for a change in who is held responsible for delinquent water bills in rental units.

As it stands, it’s the the landlord or property owner who has to pay outstanding water bills, should the tenant refuse to do so.

Cambridge Ward 1 councillor, Helen Shwery told The Mike Farwell Show that is unfair. Her motion would change the billing practice and place the burden back on the tenant.

“Each person should be responsible for what they use. Be it water, be it hydro. It’s just called being accountable for our actions,” she said.

The motion was tabled in May and staff began working to determine what it would cost for the city to go after delinquent water bills. They estimated the cost would be in the neighbourhood of $1 million.

But, Shwery disputes that cost. She said there wasn’t enough information in the report to make an accurate estimate.

“In my opinion it (the costs in the report) was highly inflated and it started to create some fear mongering,” Shwery said. “I don’t support even their options. And, there is a lot of information in this report. And, when I questioned staff, they were unable to answer.”

She plans to present options for lowering the costs to protect taxpayers but she remained tight lipped about those are, saying only “Tune in tonight.”

Council will debate the motion at its meeting Tuesday evening.