The Town of South Bruce Peninsula will be lowering planned increases to its annual water rates, thanks to a major grant from the province.
Town staff recommended dropping planned hikes to the Wiarton rates from seven per cent to 2.9 per cent annually, while Amabel-Sauble rates will actually decrease for one per cent for 2027-28, before an annual increase of 2.9 per cent to 2030.
Deputy Mayor Caleb Hull credited the work done by Director of Public Work Brianna Collins, who determined the rates could drop after the Town received a nearly $6 million grant through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program this winter.
"I just want to thank Brianna for taking the time to re-evaluate the reserve contributions and recognize the impact of the grant funding means to the water bill," he said. "I know a lot of people look at the Water Rate Study as law, and I think that the substantial grant that we got really made an impact and I'm glad that we can adjust things not just for one year but for the entirety of the water rate study."
The town's goal is to maintain a water capital reserve at three to five per cent of the water system's asset value.
However, less of the reserve had to be tapped to complete the Wiarton Wastewater Diversion and New Pumping Station Project, thanks to the provincial grant.
These revised rates only apply to flat meter rate and consumption rate.
