OLDS — For the third year in a row, the town is implementing a program to soften the financial blow for residents as they water their lawns this summer.
Council has approved a proposal by administrative staff to implement a winter wastewater averaging program.
As in past years, residential wastewater consumption for July to September will be calculated using an average of a resident’s bills for the previous nine months (October, 2020 to June, 2021).
A minimum charge for two cubic metres of wastewater (sewage) consumption will be assessed.
The town will calculate the figures based on water consumption because wastewater consumption is not metered.
“This method is often used by municipalities to allow residents to water their grass and/or flowers in the summer months without having to worry about the increased wastewater fees,” a town memo says.
Another factor that spikes water bills in spring and summer is rainfall. The rain tends to infiltrate sewers, thereby increasing the flow.
The program is anticipated to cost the town about $75,000, which will be taken from the town’s utility operating reserve if necessary. As of Dec. 31, 2020 that reserve contained $766,623.
The program cost $73,978 last year and $73,011 in 2019.
“Due to a savings actually in other areas though of wastewater, there was no transfer necessary in 2020 so hopeful that that will be the case again this year,” finance director Sheena Linderman said during a presentation to council on May 10.
Linderman said beginning in 2015 until last year, the town had generally seen a drop in water consumption. That trend reversed last year as more people stayed home, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Linderman and mayor Mike Muzychka agreed that June last year was unusually wet, contributing to very high sewer infiltration.
"I think it’s a great program and it certainly helps our residents. We always know June is our rainiest month,” Coun. Mary Jane Harper said.
Coun. Wanda Blatz also expressed support for the program.
"I also think that it’s nice under today’s economy to give some of our citizens somewhat of a break, if we can on some of our utilities, although we have done it in the past. I still think it’s a good program,” she said.
