Hamilton City Council approves 2021 water budget, tax payers to see rate increase

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Published November 26, 2020 at 10:23 am

Hamiltonians will be seeing an increase in their property taxes in 2021 as City Council approved the Water, Wastewater/Stormwater Rate Budget at Wednesday’s (Nov. 25) meeting.

This approval results in a combined rate increase of 4.28 per cent effective January 1, 2021.

According to a report, the average resident’s bill in 2021 will be $785 for a household consuming 200 cubic metres of water annually, representing an increase of $32.20 annually.

The additional funds from the budget increase are expected to address the City’s work to clean up the harbour, its commitment to incorporate a greater focus on climate change into Hamilton Water’s operations, allow for the removal and responsible disposal of contaminated soils from Kenilworth Reservoir, and support efforts to improve water quality in Chedoke Creek and Cootes Paradise.

“With one of the most complex water and wastewater systems in the province, Hamilton continues to take action ensuring that everyone has clean drinking water as well as the wastewater and stormwater services we all depend upon, Mayor Fred Eisenberger said in a statement.

“We are maintaining and improving our water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure while at the same time ensuring rates, which provide the resources to maintain and improve our systems, continue to remain affordable.”

According to the City of Hamilton, the city’s water rates remain the second-lowest in Ontario among comparable communities.

In addition to supporting important clean-ups and the expansive water infrastructure in Hamilton, the City says the additional funds will go towards maintaining homeowner assistance programs related to sewer lateral repair, basement flood prevention as well as continued efforts to replace lead service lines across the city.

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