Water Rate Review 2017
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) has
approved new water rates and regulations for the
East Hants Water Utility, effective July 1, 2017
Rules & Regulations – Effective July 1, 2017
East Hants Water Utility Rates & Charges – Effective Jul 1, 2017
East Hants Water Utility Rates & Charges – Effective April 1, 2018
East Hants Water Utility Rates & Charges – Effective April 1, 2019
Approved Water Rates are summarized
in the tables below.
Water Rates
5/8″ (Residential Meter) Information
Up to June 30,
2017 |
Approved Rates |
|||
July 1 ‘17 |
April 1 ‘18 |
April 1 ‘19 |
||
Base Rate 5/8” meter |
$45.10 |
$44.41 | $45.91 |
$47.00 |
Per 1,000 gallons |
$9.55 |
$11.00 | $12.00 |
$12.34 |
Per cubic metre |
|
$ 2.71 |
||
Average Quarterly Bill |
$125.00 |
$137.00 | $147.00 |
$151.00 |
Average Annual Bill |
$500.00 |
$548.00 | $588.00 |
$604.00 |
Other Base Rates
Up to June 30th | Approved Rates | |||
Meter Size | 2017 | July 1 ‘17 | April 1 ‘18 |
April 1 ‘19 |
3/4” |
$66.27 | $65.15 | $67.38 | $69.01 |
1“ |
$108.62 | $106.62 |
$110.32 |
$113.02 |
1.5“ |
$214.48 |
$210.31 | $217.68 |
$223.05 |
2” |
$341.52 |
$334.73 | $346.51 |
$355.09 |
3” |
$680.30 |
$666.53 | $690.06 |
$707.18 |
3” Compound |
$1,360.60 | $1,333.06 | $1,380.12 |
$1,414.36 |
Bulk Water Rates (per 1,000 gallons)
Up to June 30th |
Approved Rates |
||
2017 |
July 1 ‘17 | April 1 ‘18 |
April 1 ‘19 |
$8.78 | $13.10 | $13.74 | $13.95 |
Bulk Water Rates (per cubic metre) $ 3.07
Water Related Services & Charges
There are fees for water-related services, such as new service connection fees, private hydrant connection permits, service charges, etc. These are identified in the table below – for more detail click to the relevant section of Schedule A – Schedule of Rates and Charges:
Sprinkler Systems | 6" or less in diameter | $300 per yr | Section 4 |
Sprinkler Systems | 8" or more | $400 per yr | Section 4 |
Private Hydrants | Per hydrant | $200 per yr | Section 5 |
Hydrant Connection Fee | Per Permit | $100 | Section 7 |
Temporary Service Connection | $100 | Section 8 | |
New Account Administration Fee | $25 | Section 9 | |
Meter installation/Inspection Fee | Regular Business hours | $40 | Section 9 |
Meter installation/Inspection Fee | After normal business hours | $200 | Section 9 |
Suspension of Services Re-connection Fee | First time violations | $50 | Section 9 |
Suspension of Services Re-connection Fee | 2nd and successive violations within 1 yr period | $85 | Section 9 |
Suspension of Services Re-connection Fee | After normal business hours | $200 | Section 9 |
NSF Cheque Administration Fee | $25 | Section 10 | |
Collection / Investigation Fee | $25 | Section 11 | |
Missed Appointment Fee Charge | per missed visit | $40 | Section 12 |
Theft of Service Charge (Illegal water connection) | 1st offence | $300 | Section 13 |
Theft of Service Charge (Illegal water connection) | 2nd offence | $600 | Section 13 |
Special Service Charge | Regular Business hours | $50 | Section 14 |
Special Service Charge | After normal working hours | $200 | Section 14 |
Special Service Charge Subsequent connections / disconnections | per visit | $50 | Section 14 |
Water Bill Copy Fee | per copy | $10 each | Section 15 |
Asset Management (2017-2021)
Significant Infrastructure Work will take place over the next two years with the construction of two water mains, one in Enfield and one in Lantz. The East Hants Water Utility has received 3/4 funding from the Province and Federal government under the Clean Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Fund for these projects; the water main projects must be complete by March 31, 2018.
The other significant investment in infrastructure over the next five years is the Meter Replacement Program. This will involve the replacement of the Utilities aging meters, transitioning from hand read imperial meters (imp. gallons) to radio read metric (cubic meters).
There was no new debt proposed in the 2016 Rate Application. The Utility will be using Infrastructure and Depreciation Reserves to fund all major capital work.
Enfield Transmission Main – New Construction – $1,958,880
Lantz Transmission Main – New Construction – $1,475,000
Evergreen Crescent Transmission Main – New Construction – $125,000
Water Meter Replacement Project – Replacement – $1,053,000
Other Capital Projects included in the rate review period:
2016/2017 Enfield Water Treatment Plant roof replacement – $150,000
2017/2018 Water Loss Detection Equipment – $25,000
2017/2022 Meters – New Installation – $160,000
2017/2022 Hydrants – New Installation – $300,000
2020/2022 Plant Improvements to meet the Guidelines for anticipated Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) standards – $40,000
Future Projects for Consideration – 2021/2022 & Beyond
Lantz North Water Tower – New Construction – $2,000,000
Shubenacadie Main Replacement 5 phases – $2,750,000
Shubenacadie Water Production Well – New Construction – $100,000
Lantz Water Tower Repainting – $145,000
Useful Links:
East Hants Water Utility Rates & Charges (effective April 1, 2012 to June 30th, 2017)
East Hants Rules & Regulations (effective April 1, 2010 to June 30th, 2017)
Report to Council – July 2016 – Council Report – Meter Replacement Plan
Report to Council – October 2016 – Council Report – Rate Review Application
Water Rate Review – Application
Water Rate Review – NSUARB Order – May 12, 2017
Water Rate Decision – NSUARB Decision – May 12, 2017
The NSUARB regulates water utilities through the Public Utilities Act of Nova Scotia. The NSUARB has extensive information online about the rate setting process nsuarb.novascotia.ca.
Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board – Customers/Public Water User Guide