PUC Services will increase water rates in 2021, just not as much as originally intended.
A news release issued today stated at the coming year's rate increase will be 2.5 per cent, which works out to $1.03 for the average residential customer.
This increase is significantly lower than the 6.5 per cent increase originally anticipated by PUC.
Full text of the news release issued by PUC follows:
Recognizing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on community members, the PUC has committed to keeping water rates lower than anticipated going into 2021.
On Monday, the Public Utilities Commission’s Board of Directors approved a minimal monthly increase of $1.03 for the average residential customer. This 2.5 per cent change to water rates is much lower than the expected 6.5 per cent that was initially forecasted in PUC’s seven-year financial plan, and rests just above the traditional rate of inflation.
This approved rate will allow PUC to continue to provide safe, reliable water services while taking on important capital work in 2021 with an investment of $7.7M.
“As a community utility, we are taking a balanced approach to ensure quality is maintained while recognizing the financial challenges some of our customers may be facing during the pandemic,” said Robert Brewer, president and CEO of PUC Services Inc. “It was important to us that we keep our rates as low as possible to offer relief to our customers during this challenging time.”
PUC residential customers experience lower-than-average annual water costs when compared to other Ontario municipalities.
“We approved the smallest increase possible that would allow the PUC to continue to offer the safe and reliable services that customers depend on, while keeping rates low during the ongoing pandemic,” stated Mark Howson, chair of the Public Utilities Commission’s Board of Directors.
For more information on PUC’s water rates, please visit here.
