Kitchener council approves new rates for water, natural gas
Posted Dec 20, 2022 02:18:31 PM.
Kitchener city council has approved increases to water utility rates and user fees for 2023.
The city does point out the increases are below inflation.
The combined water utilities rate increase is 4.5 per cent. That works out to an additional $3.45 a month for the average residential customer. The new rate takes effect on January 1.
Meantime, user fees for programs and services will increase by four per cent. The city says user fees make up around 10 per cent of the revenues used to fund its operating budget.
When it comes to natural gas, there will be a decrease from 21.45 cents per cubic metre to 20.85 cents per cubic metre to respond to slightly lower market prices. However, there will be an increase to the delivery rate to cover various capital, operations and financial requirements. For an average Kitchener Utilities residential customer the annual financial implication will be approximately $81.
