Water costs are going up for some users in Saskatchewan, effective May 1.
The increase of six percent for drinking water and four percent for nonpotable water affects SaskWater customers who don’t have automatic rate adjustments. This includes 25 municipalities, 23 industrial customers and 46 water utility boards.
“We sell water only to people who redistribute that water, whether it’s a municipality or a rural water utility board,” said Greg Argue, vice-president of business development for the government agency that is responsible for water in the province.
“It does impact some farmers.”
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
On average, customers will pay 45 cents more per 1,000 gallons of drinking water. Customers of industrial potable water will pay 35 cents more while buyers of nonpotable water will pay 10 cents more.
Communities affected include Riverhurst, Guernsey, Viscount, Tuxford, Marquis, Bethune, Disley, Bradwell, Elstow, Clavet, Vanscoy, Elbow, Hanley, Lanigan, Allan, Dalmeny, Martensville, Osler, Warman, Hague and White City.
The rural municipalities that will see increases include Edenwold, Corman Park and Blucher. The resort village of Shields is also a SaskWater customer.
David Forbes, the minister responsible for SaskWater, said rising costs, aging infrastructure and changing regulations are responsible for the increase.
