Chatham-Kent residents will be paying slightly more for their water consumption this year.
The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved flat rate increases for water and wastewater usage in the municipality during a meeting on Thursday, citing inflation as the main reason for the increase.
Water consumption for residential service will increase by a fixed rate of $0.55 per month, while wastewater consumption will increase by $0.58 cents per month.
According to the PUC, the yearly increase for an average residential home in Chatham-Kent will be $31.92.
PUC officials said the rate increases are necessary to cover the treatment and delivery costs of water and wastewater, as well as providing sufficient funding of 2024 operations, maintenance, lifecycle and debt financing costs.
The increases, which will come into effect immediately, are based on a Water and Wastewater Rates Study conducted by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. in 2023.
Prior to this increase, Chatham-Kent PUC has been following a pre-approved financial plan for water and wastewater rates since 2014.
