Pending council approval, utility rates are set to rise here in Lacombe, as council gave 2nd reading to the utility rate bylaw at last night's (Jan 8/18) city council meeting.

The planned wastewater rates will increase to reflect the change in rate structure first adopted in 2012, with an increase in both the monthly rate and the consumption. The rates for 2018 will be $20.00, an increase of $0.68 per customer per month.

Mayor Grant Creasey says this is a direct result of the Red Deer Regional Wastewater System project.

“It does have an impact on our rates and they are going up just like they did last year, that’s just the reality of it. On the positive side we will have continued quality service in that regard, and we also have increased capacity to grow the city as well, which I’m sure you realize that our current system was pretty much maxed out.”

The cost of water will remain the same at $26.22 per month, with the per unit consumption rate remaining at $2.47 per cubic. The base fee is used to cover fixed costs such as administration and distribution costs. The per unit consumption rate is intended to cover the cost of water purchased from the regional water commission as well as to account for water loss in the system.

The cost of bulk water increased $4.50 per cubic meter, due to the credit card pay system at terminals added last year.

Solid waste rates will not see an increase for residential units, but multi residential and commercial rates on solid waste will increase $1.03 to $17.27 per unit per month.

Commercial rates will increase to $109.89 per month per costumer per bin including cardboard. Additional unscheduled pickups will also be $54.94

The new wastewater project includes 26km of wastewater pipeline connecting Lacombe, Lacombe County, and Blackfalds to the treatment facility in Red Deer, and costs close to $60 million, with less than $30 million coming from government funding.

3rd reading of the bylaw will occur at the next council meeting on January 22nd.