ST. PAUL – The water consumption rate with the Elk Point/St. Paul Regional Water Commission has increased.
During an Elk Point/St. Paul Regional Water Commission meeting held on Sept. 27, a motion was carried to increase the rate to Commission members from $1.25 per cubic metre to $1.50 per cubic metre, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz relayed the information to County council during the regular council meeting held on Oct. 10.
“This will need to be passed along to our users of water from the St. Paul Water Treatment Plant to Elk Point,” said Kitz. There are 20 County residents along the water line, and six of those residents have access to water through the meter vaults installed during the water line’s construction. Those six residents will see an increase in water rate next year.
Administration recommended referring the increase to the Policy Committee. The Utility Bylaw will be updated before Jan. 1, 2024.
Coun. Dale Hedrick made the motion, as per administration’s recommendation. The motion was carried.
A consultant will be reviewing the County’s utility rates on Oct. 24, according to Kitz.
The increase reflects higher operating costs of utilities and chemicals, as well as an eight per cent water loss in the Regional Line, stated Ken Gwozdz, Commission manager, in a Sept. 27 letter to the County of St. Paul.
Gwozdz, who is also the CAO for the Town of Elk Point, told Lakeland This Week the increase also reflects the Town of St. Paul increasing its water rate in April of 2024, as the Water Commission buys their water from the Town of St. Paul. Considerations for future maintenance and replacement are also taken into account.
Elk Point users will see an increase in their water rate, but as to how much that will be remains to be decided. Gwozdz said the Town of Elk Point is currently discussing the budget.
