Kelowna utility rates to rise sharply
Kelowna residents will face a trifecta of utility rate increases each year for the next three years.
Following approval by council Monday, water, electricity and sewer rates will all rise in 2012, 2013 and 2014, to cover capital improvements and rising operating costs.
And the city admits some of the increases are large. For water alone, the increase will amount to a 12 per cent jump over the three years.
The increases for residential customers over the next three years will add a total of $12.44 a month for water and $1.02 for sewers.
For 2012 alone, the average increase to city water residential users will be $3.54 a month and residential sewer customers will see an increase $0.24 a month.
The increase to city electrical utility customers was approved as a result of B.C. Utility Commission wholesale power cost increases, with monthly electrical charges up $3.59 for 2012 for residential customers.
Despite the increases, the city says it still has some of the lowest water rates in the province.
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