2022 Utility Rates

New 2022 rates will reflect the following changes:

  • 6% increase in revenue required for water

  • 5% increase in revenue required for sewer

  • 9% increase for single-family garbage, green waste collection, and public space recycling services.

A combination of higher waste volumes with increased servicing costs resulted in a small solid waste utility increase for 2022. Curbside residential garbage and organics collection fees have increased by $16.35 in 2022, and public space collection fees increased by $5.77

Council approved changes to leak adjustment provisions in the Waterworks Regulation Bylaw to encourage residents to repair leaks promptly. The District has long emphasized water conservation and stressed that it is the responsibility of residents to maintain plumbing in good, working order. These changes reaffirm the District's commitment to the conservation of drinking water.

Typical Household Impact of Approved 2022 Rates

The actual impact of new rates on each household will depend on the household's metered water consumption. West Vancouver’s water and sewer utilities are metered. What you pay for water and sewer depends on how much water you use, and can vary each quarter.

  • Water utility fees increased by 6% in 2022. This rate increase represents a median single-family household increase of $47 and an average multi-family unit increase of $18 over 2021.
  • Sewer and storm drainage utility increased by 5% in 2022. The rate increase represents a median single-family household increase of $102 and an average multi-family unit increase of $48 over 2021.
  • A combination of higher waste volumes with increased servicing costs resulted in a small solid waste utility increase for 2022. Curbside residential garbage and organics collection fees have increased by $16.35 in 2022, and public space collection fees increased by $5.77.

Approved Utility Rate Structure Changes

On July 10, 2017, Council approved the following changes to the Utility Rate structure for 2018:

  1. Sewer rate structure: New separate line items for regional costs and local costs to improve transparency
  2. Water rate structure: Move to a four-block rate structure for single family households from a three-block. The new base block (0-30 cubic metres) provides a new tool to reward residential conservation while continuing to cover costs in the water utility. The metered water rate structure for multi-family residential or commercial customers will not change.

Council approved adjustments to the utility rate structure based on recommendations resulting from the rate study and anticipated rate increases for 2018.

By making this change in advance, the District created a buffer that will help reduce the overall increase to your bill. The new structure benefits all residents but provides the most reward to households that use less water.

The updated structure will also provide greater transparency for customers.

Council Report: Utility Rate Review Findings (June 13, 2017)

Background

West Vancouver began a review of its model for determining utility rates in fall 2016.

The model was originally established in 2007 when universal water metering came into effect. Water metering improves customer equity, promotes water conservation and has helped detect leaks in the system. The model was based on best practices from other municipalities and the information available at that time about costs to maintain our community's water and sewer infrastructure.

After nearly ten years of collecting meter data, we have more information about local consumption and a much better understanding of the lifecycle and replacement needs of the associated infrastructure.

The 2017 rate review has verified that West Vancouver rate model is largely sound, but recommended small adjustments to the rate structure to meet West Vancouver's needs today.

Goals of the study

  • Update economic & conservation assumptions using local data
  • Ensure sustainable funding & responsible asset management
  • Maintain customer equity and encourage water conservation
  • Help plan for costs associated with new North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant

Timeline

  • Research and review formula for rates
  • Share findings with residents in fall 2017
  • Council to approve rates by December 13, 2017
  • Implement rate changes on January 1, 2018