Next week, Lethbridge business owners and employees are invited to stop by two open houses focused on water use.
Members of the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector that use the City’s water will have the chance to talk about proposed scaling water rates.
Scaling rates essentially mean the cost of water progressively increases based on how much water is used.
The open houses are set for Monday, March 3, with one session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and another from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Culver Meeting Room at City Hall.
Officials say the goal of the proposed rates is to minimize the impact on the ICI sector, with 93 per cent of users unaffected. The City says even with the proposed changes, Lethbridge’s rates will stay among the lowest in the province and country.
Officials note that scaling water rates is a “key strategy” in getting a 20 per cent reduction in local ICI water usage by 2030. Additionally, the City says it helps with the sustainability of the infrastructure that is needed to treat and deliver water.
“We encourage ICI sector members to join us for these open house sessions to learn more about the proposed water rate changes and provide feedback,” says Environmental Manager Mark Svenson. “This is an opportunity to discuss how the new pricing may impact your business and explore ways to conserve water.”
The open houses will feature:
- Information on the proposed tiers;
- Sample water bills comparing the current pricing versus proposed pricing;
- Feedback on how the new costs will impact individual businesses; and
- Ideas for commercial water conservation practices.
In April 2024, Lethbridge City Council approved the Water Conservation Plan and Strategy. City staff reached out to the ICI sector regarding the proposed changes to scaling water rates. Feedback receiving will be presented to council this April.
