Flushing the toilet is two percent more expensive this year.
Port Coquitlam council approved a 2.81 percent increase to water rates and a 1.97 percent increase to sewer rates at a special council meeting on Tuesday.
The uptick means residents living in single-family houses will pay $857 for water and sewer in 2023, an increase of $20 from last year.
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Townhouse residents are looking at an $803 bill for water and sewer – an increase of $19 from last year.
Apartment dwellers are set to face a levy of $762, an increase of $18 from last year.
The key factor for the increase is the steeper rates charged by Metro Vancouver for both bulk water purchases and sanitary sewer discharge.
In total, Port Coquitlam is set to spend $24.3 million on water and sewer expenses in 2023. Approximately $15.3 million is earmarked for payments to Metro Vancouver.
“Metro Vancouver has been forecasting significant increases to its rates to offset borrowing costs related to capital construction,” according to a city staff report.
The city offers a 50 percent discount for seniors with a personal income of less than $28,630 or a household income of less than $35,645. More info here.
Utility bills are due March 31.
Most Coquitlam residents are slated to pay about $56 more for utilities in 2023 – however, that figure also includes drainage and solid waste fees. More info here.
