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Water rates may climb $27 for an average household By CHRISTINA COMMISSO Metroland Media Group The typical Halton household is likely to pay about $27 more for water next year, and one councillor is concerned that this basic necessity will become too costly for some. During last Wednesday's planning and public works budget meeting the committee heard that the 2012 water rates for the average household are set to reach $778 a year, up from $752 last year. The increase will go before the budget committee Monday (December 12) for discussion and then must be passed by regional council. "People will soon be paying more for water and wastewater than they're paying for all regional services combined, with the exception of police," said Burlington Councillor John Taylor. Halton Hills Wards 1&2 Regional Councillor Clark Somverville told The Independent & Free Press that water hikes are "borne out of the Walkerton inquiry." "Halton has a good quality water system and it's expensive to maintain a quality system," he said. The Region is forecasting the average household ($350,000 assessment value) will pay $1,319 for regional taxes in 2012, up by about $15, or 1.2 per cent from last year. It's forecast by 2017 the average household will pay more than $1,000 for water. "Water is a necessity of life," said Taylor. "No matter what your income is, there's a basic human necessity for health and hygiene. I'm concerned that it is getting very pricey, at least on paper." However, Taylor noted he was pleased the Region is now predicting lower annual water rate increases over the next 10 years than what was previously forecasted. Public works staff expect the annual increase to hover around 5.5 per cent, where in 2010 that increase was pegged closer to seven per cent. "We have started to bend the curve," said Taylor. "If we go back 10 years and forward 10 years using budget history the rate doesn't quadruple as it did in the past, it only triples. That's a big step." Commissioner of Public Works Mitch Zamojc said water consumption has decreased dramatically in the last few years, with a greater emphasis being placed on water conservation and the use of more efficient appliances. He said in 2006 the average water consumption per household was 300 cubic meters per year and it has now dropped to 274 cubic metres. Increased hydro prices are also putting pressure on the costs at water treatment plants. Zamojc said the cost of hydro at these facilities is $8 million per year, and 2012 should see an increase of $727,000. "We have fixed costs so there's no relationship between a drop in consumption or a drop in customers and the cost of a plant." In 2011 Halton households paid on average about 10 per cent more for water (based on 250 cubic metres) compared to the rest of the GTA and about 14 per cent less than the Ontario average. Milton Councillor Colin Best told the committee not to expect water consumption to increase any time soon, even with Halton's population spike. "Canada, on average, consumes three times of any industrial country. (The decrease) is not a phenomenon, it's the way it should be. Other countries get by with far less and pay far more with no complaints." 3 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, December 8, 2011 $5500 Cash Back on 2011 Honda Ridgeline · Power windows & heated power side mirrors · AC with air-filtration system · Keyless entry · Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone interface · And much more! Limited time lease offer on any new 2012 Honda Civic Sedan or Civic Coupe (except Civic Hybrid), through Honda Financial Services Inc., on approved credit. Representative lease example: 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan with Manual Transmission (Model FB2E4CEX) on a 24 month term at 0.99% lease APR, the monthly payment is $309.58 [includes $1,395 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF filters ($1), A/C tax ($100), and OMVIC fee ($5)] with $0 down payment or equivalent trade-in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $7,429.92. 48,000-kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. Receive 0.99% purchase financing on any new 2012 Honda Civic Sedan or Civic Coupe (except Civic Hybrid) for a maximum of 24 months available through Honda Financial Services Inc., on approved credit. Example: based on a 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan (Model FB2E4CEX) on a 24 month term at 0.99% APR and complete price of $19,020 [includes $1,395 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF filters ($1), A/C tax ($100), and OMVIC fee ($5). Excludes other taxes, license, and insurance], the monthly payment is $800.70. Cost of borrowing is $196.80 for a total finance obligation of $19,216.80. Down payment or equivalent trade-in on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Honda Financial Services Inc. §$1,000 Holiday Bonus offer applies only to retail customer purchase, lease or finance agreements for new 2012 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe models (except Civic Hybrid) concluded between November 1, 2011 and November 30, 2011 at participating Ontario Honda Dealers. ^Includes Freight, PDI, Levies and OMVIC fee. Excludes License and HST. *Limited time lease offer on any new 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan with Manual Transmission (Model FB2E4CEX) available through Honda Financial Services Inc., on approved credit. Representative lease example: 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan with Manual Transmission (Model FB2E4CEX) on a 48 month term at 1.99% lease APR, the monthly payment is $177.98 [includes $1,395 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF filters ($1), A/C tax ($100), and OMVIC fee ($5)] with $2,240 down payment or equivalent trade-in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $8,543. 96,000-kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **Receive 1.99% purchase financing on a new 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan (Model FB2E4CEX) for a maximum of 60 months available through Honda Financial Services Inc., on approved credit. Bi-weekly Finance example: based on a 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan (Model FB2E4CEX) on a 60 month term at 1.99% APR, 130 bi-weekly payments of $153.83, and complete price of $19,020 [includes $1,395 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF filters ($1), A/C tax ($100), and OMVIC fee ($5). Excludes other taxes, license and insurance]. Cost of borrowing is $977.40 for a total finance obligation of $19,997.40. Down payment or equivalent trade-in on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Honda Financial Services Inc. For all offers: license, insurance, PPSA, and other taxes (including HST and tax for fuel conservation, if applicable) are extra. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price. Offers only valid for Ontario residents at Ontario Honda Dealers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Vehicles and accessories are for il ustration purposes only. Offers subject to change without notice . See your Ontario Honda Dealer or visit HondaOntario.com for full details. Based on Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC) data reflecting sales between October 1997 and August 2010. 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