Starting last Sunday, Town of Olds increased its water and wastewater rates by five cents.
“The board of directors of Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission has approved a water rate increase to the town for five cents for cubic metre, from $1.20 to $1.25, effective April 1, 2012,” said Terryl Allen, Town of Olds director of corporate services.
“Basically, it increases the water rates for the town residents from $2.51 to $2.56 per cubic metre, effective April 1, 2012.”
Moreover, Town of Olds will be discontinuing its temp-off practice starting May 1, 2012.
The practice had been in effect in Olds for numerous years.
“If residents were going to be away for an extended period of time, they could advise the office that they did not want service during that period,” said Allen.
“At that time, the base rates were basically stopped until people returned and told us they were back. When they were back, they could pay $50 and their account would be reinstated.”
However, the water was not physically turned off.
“Everybody should be charged base rates for water and wastewater, regardless of whether they are in their home or whether they are travelling,” said Allen.
“Because of the fact that the infrastructure is in place, everybody does need to pay for it. If somebody is not paying for it, then the rest of the residents are picking it up.”
The temp-off practice has also been cancelled by other Alberta municipalities.
