File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Stephanie Swensrude

Kamloops City Hall

Kamloops sewer and water utility rates to rise

Sep 20, 2022 | 3:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has approved a five-year plan for the City’s water and sewer utilities and rates. Water rates will rise by 1 per cent in 2023 and 2 per cent each year from 2023 to 2027, while sewer utility rates will rise by 2.5 per cent each year from 2023 to 2027.

The plan says the average residential rate for water will go from $383 in 2023 to $415 in 2027 and sewer will go from $480 in 2023 to $530 in 2027.

Utility Services Manager Greg Wightman says Kamloops has Canada’s most complex water distribution system due to the topography and the way the city has grown through sprawl.

The plan cites recent capital projects that were completed or are underway in 2022, like replacing water mains on Highland Drive, Lorne Street and Fleetwood Avenue, as well as adding a new reservoir in Valleyview.

According to the plan, the sewer utility has been historically underfunded in Kamloops.

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“In recent years, Council’s support for significant rate increases has resulted in the utility being in a financially sustainable state. The financial stability of the sewer utility has resulted in recommendations for modest, yet consistent rate increases that will support the key functions of the utility,” says the plan.