Petrolia administrators want to raise water and sewer rates 2.4 per cent in 2020.
But it is not increasing costs behind rate increases, it’s planning for the future.
Rick Charlebois, the Chief Administrative Officer, unveiled the proposed rates Monday first at an educational session for councillors and then for five ratepayers who were in the audience during a public meeting.
Charlebois says in the three years, water rates rose two per cent each year.
Sewer rates however dropped five per cent in 2017, 10 per cent in 2018 and five per cent in 2019.
That adjustment was made after receiving grants to build a new wastewater treatment plant.
Council had hiked sewage rates 27 per cent in 2016 to help pay for the plant.
Charlebois says the 2.4 per cent increase will generate about $13,150 from water users and another $17,000 from the sewage rates.
Charlebois told council it has to bulk up the water reserves because in the next 10 years the water intake for the town’s water treatment plant in Bright’s Grove will need to be replaced.
He expects that to be a $10 million job.

Council will look at the issue at the Sept. 23 meeting.

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