The average household water bill will rise by 2.39 per cent, or $29, in 2022.
City council passed next year’s water utility budget Thursday afternoon, setting the new rate to raise $73.2 million in combined water and wastewater charges next year.
The rate hike will bring the average household water bill to $1,219 next year based on average consumption of 204 cubic meters.
Council also approved the preliminary water utility operating budget forecasts and rate increases through 2025
Combined water and wastewater rate increases are set at 3.57 per cent in 2023, 3.23 per cent in 2024 and 3.53 per cent in 2025, but will be revisited annually.
The Region of Waterloo treats the water and wastewater for the city, accounting for one per cent, or $12 of the $29 increase for the average household.
The remaining $17, or 1.39 per cent accounts for investment in the city’s water and sewer networks.
Compared to what other municipalities pay for water, Cambridge sits above the provincial average and is the highest among cities in the region. Kitchener residents pay $1,098 per 204 cubic metres, while Waterloo pays $908.
