Water rates on the rise in Fox Creek

By Laura Bohnert

Recent notification that water rates are increasing in Fox Creek has small business owners more than a little anxious.

Pat Labrash, owner of Integra Tire Auto Centre in Fox Creek, began noticing increases to his water bill over the past couple months.

“The month before last, my bill was $88. This month my bill had increased to $212, and when the new rates are applied to my current consumption, my bill could reach an estimated $550,” Labrash explains.

“Something seems wrong here,” Labrash continues. “I run a small tire shop. It has one bathroom and typical water consumption. According to the smart readers, there is no leak. It’s a heavy increase, and it feels wrong for an essential service like water.”

Roy Dell, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Fox Creek, confirms that there is a rate increase happening in Fox Creek.

“The rate increase is largely due to the fact that there has been no increase to rates for many years,” Dell explains. “By doing this, the Town has had to subsidize this program quite heavily, and a program such as water and sewer needs to be self-sufficient.  That means it has to be able to fund all of its programs including capital projects.”

“The Town of Fox Creek, not unlike other towns in Alberta, has an ageing infrastructure that has to be replaced or upgraded,” Dell continues. “With this increase, we can now start planning the repairs and replacement of our aging infrastructure, whether it be the pipes in the ground, hydrants, valves, or even to maintain the infrastructure that we currently have such as the new water plant, wells, and the supply line.”

“The new water plant, line, and wells,” Dell adds, “was a $15 million project that will service our growing population to a size of 7,500 people, and NO tax dollars were used to fund it. All funding came from various grants and from selling our wastewater to Industry.”

“The amount of increase all varies,” Dell explains. “As an estimate, the average household with normal water consumption will see little to no difference. We did not increase residential amounts; all we did was change from a flat rate system to a user pay system. However, if they are a heavy user, their bill will increase.”

“Council has asked that we supply shadow bills to residents for about six months so they can see what their consumption rates are,” Dell adds. “That way residents can ensure all their plumbing is operating accordingly and will have time to repair leaking taps, toilets, etc.”

Labrash, however, isn’t the only business owner in Fox Creek who is worried about the rate increase. Small business owners are worried not only that it will become less economically viable to maintain employees, but also that the rate increase will make Fox Creek a less appealing home for employees and clients alike.

“Small businesses are already fighting for every dollar trying to keep doors open and not lay people off,” Labrash explains. “A rate increase now may make that even less viable.”

While Dell agrees that the commercial sector has seen the largest jump in rates, he stresses that the rate increase is still targeted towards the heavier users: “Prior to this rate system, consumers were issued a flat rate which meant that, whether you used 50 or 500 cubic meters, your bill was priced the same.”

“The flat rate system made it possible for water issues, like leaks or drips in the line or system, to be overlooked,” Dell explains.  “Now that we are charging by the cubic meter, or by consumption, residents and business alike are definitely looking a lot more closely at their consumption.”

“We realize that we are in an economic slump,” states Dell, “and an increase is not well received even in good times; however, this could be viewed as a water conservation strategy, or a deterrent for heavy users. It is an incentive to watch your meter and focus on methods of water conservation.”

In response to Labrash’s particular case, Dell states that an increase from $90 to $500 is unusual: “We have had calls from people requesting to come look at their meter and, in some instances, we have found a faulty meter or that the meter has been entered incorrectly. In some cases, that may account for increases that seem unrealistic.”

Residents who are concerned about their bill, have questions about this increase, or who suspect an issue with their meter, should call the Town Office at 780-622-3896. “We would be happy to answer any questions they may have,” Dell concludes.