Well and Septic

July 2009

To meet the obligations under the Safe Water Drinking Act,

The City must submit a financial plan to the Ministry of the Environment demonstrating financial sustainability of the drinking water infrastructure. The City is reviewing the method used to recover costs for the delivery of drinking water, sanitary and Stormwater services. The proposed changes have the potential to affect all landowners, both urban and rural, including those on wells. The attachments outline the proposed changes. For more information, please visit: City of Ottawa

or call 613-580-2424 ext. 23307

Read all about it.

June 2009

Review Of The Water, Sanitary & Storm Rate Structure:

The city has released a new report “Review of the water, sanitary & storm rate structure”.

Staff has noted that, those who do not currently pay water and sewer bill are receiving stormwater and related environmental management services at no costs. The report recommends several options to remedy this. Under Option B, total stormwater costs are levied across the City on an assessment value basis (using as a base average residential property assessment of $292,750).  Under Option C, urban stormwater costs are born by those paying a water and sewer bill; and rural stormwater costs are born by those outside the service area on their tax bill.  Under both scenarios, landowners in unserviced areas of the City would have a new stormwater charge added to the assessment portion of their tax bill to cover the cost of services they currently receive for free. Option C refers to division of stormwater costs between serviced and unserviced areas of the city, with fees applied on the water and sewer bill and tax bill, respectively. Under this option stormwater costs would be divided and levied on a cost for service basis, generally along the lines of urban and rural.  Everyone not receiving a water and sewer bill would be levied a charge on the assessment portion of their property tax for stormwater costs incurred in the unserviced areas of the City. The objective of dividing stormwater costs between the serviced and unserviced areas of the City is to better apportion costs where they are incurred.

The following are key drawbacks against this approach:

       Stormwater run-off is a function of the size of a property and its permeability (lot coverage).  These factors better correlate to property value than water consumption, and should be applied equally amongst all property owners—both urban and rural.  Moving towards an assessment-based approach allows for the migration of rates to a lot size and coverage approach over time, and will improve fairness in the interim.

     There are significant administrative constraints to dividing the tax base into “serviced” and “unserviced” areas as there are numerous exceptions across the City.

The staff recommended monthly charge for unserviced property is $10.39.  The average cost on the tax bill could range from approximately $74 to $125 per year depending upon the approach taken. The Option B is seen as most defensible. Public consultations are scheduled June through September for stakeholder input, including one-on-one meetings with interested groups and a Public Open House.

For more in formation read the report at:

http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/pec/2009/06-23/11%20-%20ACS2009-ICS-WWS-0015%20-%20Water%20Rate%20Structure.htm

Water Survey:

This survey is intended to assist in establishing community attitude regarding municipal servicing.  Results will be shared with the city. Depending on the outcome association will provide liaison between the city and residents to find a mutually advantageous solution one that is mindful of the community wishes, protects residents health and safety and con tribute to the community well being.

The results will be coded to assure your privacy. Your assistance in returning this survey by June 15, 2009 (the latest), is greatly appreciated.

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