Water and Wastewater Bills Higher Than Other Municipalities

There isn’t one simple reason our water and wastewater bills are where they are, and there isn’t one simple solution to lowering them.

New Tecumseth has significant infrastructure costs, including aging water and wastewater systems and the cost of securing enough water capacity for our growing community.

I also think it’s important to recognize that the current Council has successfully advocated for outside funding. Earlier this year, the Province committed up to $12.5 million toward rehabilitation of the Alliston Wastewater Treatment Plant, which helps reduce the amount that ultimately has to be funded locally.

We need to keep doing that. We also need to ensure growth pays its appropriate share through development charges, continually review operating and capital costs, and look for every opportunity to reduce pressure on existing ratepayers.

I don’t think it would be responsible for me to promise that I can simply lower everyone’s water bill. What I can promise is that I will question increases, understand what’s driving them, support every reasonable opportunity for outside funding, and make affordability part of every decision.