Proposed New 2006 Water Rates

Uncategorized Wednesday, May 10th, 2006

Here’s a quick comparison of what it would cost a residential taxpayer to use 1000m3 of water compared to a commercial user, using the new rates quoted in the latest Board of Control agenda that is available on the city web site:

Class	m3	New Rate	Tot
Residential
	16.990	1.12	19.03
	39.664	1.18	46.78
	943.366	1.23	1160.34
			1226.15
Commercial
	2.832	4.29	12.15
	707.925	0.73	516.85
	292.075	0.61	178.17
			707.16

As you can see, commercial users still appear to be heavily subsidized by residential ratepayers, even at the new rates. And those who use the most water (more than 1000m3) get the best deal.

From:	Gregory Fowler
To:	Jonathan Sher
Sent:	Wed, 10 May 2006 10:16:06 -0400 (EDT)
Subject:	Rates

With respect to today’s article (”Water savings drop in bucket”; Jonathan Sher; London Free Press; 2006/05/10). According to Appendix ‘C’ and ‘D’ of the Board of Control 2006/05/10 Agenda, residential ratepayers in London pay significantly more for water/sewer than other Ontario cities. At the same time, commercial and industrial clients pay less. So, help me out. Where is the talk about us losing our competitive advantage coming from? Labatt’s V.P. of corporate communications may or may not have a point with respect to international jurisdictions, but I don’t have the data to determine that. Even if it is true though, there are other important considerations besides water/sewer rates which impact any decision about where to locate globally. Things like child labour, political stability, environmental protection, graft, etc. Our citizens might better be served if more focus was directed to the huge amount of money that is routinely spent extending/widening roads in London. Greg Fowler

Appended 2006/05/11 @ 11:00 a.m.

Council’s decision last night was to prepare/advertise it’s intention to pass the new rates and to hold a 2006/06/21 public BOC meeting.

From My Bottom Step