Bridgetown adopts new sewer rate

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Bridgetown property owners hooked into the town's sewer system will be getting a bill in the mail come November, but they'll also be getting a break on their property tax bills.

Council passed a motion Monday evening that puts the new sewer charge into effect, and puts Bridgetown in line with common practice among most other municipalities in Nova Scotia and a property tax rate that is more directly comparable with other self-governing communities.

In a recent information sheet distributed to residents, council said that by allocating costs to the actual users of the sewer system it removes the costs from the taxpayers who don't have access to sewer services.

"By removing the costs from the general tax rate, we now have room to create a substantial reduction in both the residential and commercial tax rates," residents were told. "This year our residential rate will drop by 13 cents and our commercial rate by five cents."

Several residents were on hand for Monday night's meeting and asked for clarification on several points, including the effect on renters who won't get the tax break, whether implementation of the sewer rate was revenue neutral, the fact that the rate will be based on the previous year's water consumption, and whether the new sewer charge was revenue neutral. The timing of the first bills in November was also questioned by resident Lewis Falls who said that's also the time of year people have trouble paying for heat and gas, and increased power rates.

Mayor Art Marshall explained that unlike the current system, only users will pay. He said the town may get to the point where the sewer charge is based on more current water consumption than the previous year. As for renters, he said that is one of the pitfalls of the plan but pointed out renters don't pay property tax.

The sewer rate was not designed to be revenue neutral because of pending new infrastructure requirements.

Bridgetown is hiring an engineering firm this year to complete a study of the existing wastewater facility and will receive recommendations for future upgrading and expansion required to comply with new provincial standards for treatment and distribution.

The town anticipates federal and provincial funding for costs associated with the project but will have to borrow the remaining one-third.

The new sewer rate includes a base rate of $52.08 for annual infrastructure recovery costs, plus a usage rate of $1.66 per cubic metre of water used. The formula links the sewer charges to the amount of water a home or business uses because ultimately the water used water will end up in the sewage system.

While some property owners may end up paying more overall with the new rate, some will end up paying considerably less, all depending on how much water they use.

Councillors stressed the importance of water conservation and noted those who conserve will benefit from lower water and sewer bills.

“By basing the sewer usage rate on the previous year’s water consumption we are providing an opportunity for each property owner to reduce their costs through water conservation practices,” residents were told. “Conservation of our water resources must be a top priority. Our supply of clean drinking water is limited and taking action to use this precious resource wisely will ensure that we all have enough fresh drinking water for ourselves and future generations.”

The initial bills will arrive in mailboxes in November, January, and April. After that residents will be billed quarterly.