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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 4, 2012 · 4 Water rates will rise by $27 on average home By Christina Commisso METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP The typical Halton household will likely pay about $27 more for water in 2012, adding to one councillor's concerns that this basic necessity will become too costly for some. During a December Halton Region planning and public works budget meeting, the committee heard the 2012 water rates for the average household are set to reach $778 a year, up from $752. The increase later went before the budget committee and was 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 at the committee meeting. 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 that 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 it is getting very pricey, at least on paper." 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. Hate your kitchen? We have a remodeling option for every budget. Your existing cabinets are valuable. Remodeling them will give you a great new look for a fraction of the cost of comparable new cabinets. Remodeling Options: Renew your cabinets with our unique "Tune-Up" Restores the original wood finish to 90-95% (starting at $900) ReDoor (a new Do-It-Yourself makeover solution) New custom made doors & paint the cabinets (from $1500**) Reface your cabinets with our unique "Tune-Up" Restores the original wood finish to 90-95% (starting at $900) Restyle for a new look and improved function Reface & add some new cabinets (starting about $4900**) Replace with new custom designed cabinets Get the style and function you need for as little as $7900** Save* UP TO UP TO 90% 75% 40-60% 20-40% Within budget *Savings relate to the estimated cost of achieving the same look with comparable new cabinets. **Starting price examples are based on a common 10' x 10', "L" shaped kitchen cabinet layout. Free consultation and estimate 905-637-3331 3480 Fairview St., Burlington (west of Walkers Line) Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-3 Every Kitchen Tune-Up franchise Design Tool - Free on website is locally owned and operated. Visit our showroom SCAN with your Smart Phone KitchenTuneUp.com