Water commission raises fixed charges by over 330 per cent in Ryley, Holden and Bruce; 25 per cent in rural areas

Commission chair says uniform fixed rate is fairer to all, but others say the increase will end up hurting the low end water users and those on fixed incomes

By Patricia Harcourt
Editor

Some people are expressing anger over the increase in water rates for the regional waterline, despite explanations that this makes the service more fair for all customers.

Ron Yarham, chairman of the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission, states the change in water rates and fixed charges for people using the waterline in Beaver County will make it more fair.

The towns of Tofield and Viking were being hit twice by paying to help maintain both their own infrastructure, as well as the commission’s through its rates. These two towns actually own and operate their own distribution systems but buy water from the waterline.

“It shouldn’t be up to Viking and Tofield to pay for the rest of the county’s distribution,” said Yarham, explaining that the “water rate covers the main line to get it down the highway. The fixed charge (or cost to maintain the system) kicks in once the water leaves the line and goes into the distribution system.”

For more see the Jan. 31/12 issue of the Tofield Mercury