Your water bill is about to go up in the new year; but by how much, is still being worked out.
In a media release, the Regulatory and Appeals Board says it has approved a rate hike for Halifax Water but not for the 35.6 per cent increase over three months that was requested in the spring.
Instead, the NSARB has asked the utility to go back to the drawing board and do a re-calculation.
It was in May when Halifax Water proposed raising residential and wastewater rates by 15.8 per cent, January 1, 2026, then again 17.1 per cent, April 1, 2026, to cover rising costs from things like inflation.
It was met with criticism from not only Mayor Andy Fillmore but all political parties.
The NSARB says the original request is not only overestimated but would result in “rate shock” for customers.
The board is also denying Halifax Water’s request for other costs to be passed onto customers which would drop the April 1 spike of 17.1 per cent to 7 per cent.
The utility now has one week to adjust its rates.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore agrees with the NSARB that the rate hike is too high, however, he says he is very concerned that the Board wants Halifax Water to look into HRM absorbing some of the costs that contributed to the utility’s debt and is calling for an audit.
“Halifax Water provides an essential public service. We de4pend on them to support our region’s growing housing needs, economic development goals and public health demands,” says Fillmore in a statement.
“We need to make informed decisions based on transparency and accountability to keep life affordable for residents. That is what these reviews will deliver.”
Kenda MacKenzie, General Manager of Halifax Water says, they are reviewing the decision and “remain committed to providing reliable service to our customers and the environment.”
The utility says they are a municipal utility that operates on a “break-even basis”, and no profit component is built into the rates.
The new rates will be outlined, December 23.
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