Some Inverness Co. residents will be facing a water rate increase.
The process for municipal officials to take over the Cheticamp Water Utility from provincial government officials was underway in October; that has since been amalgamated with the Inverness Co. Water Utility.
Betty Ann MacQuarrie, the county’s warden, tells The Hawk they had to work out a deal with their provincial officials for the takeover.
“We were concerned about the condition of the system and we did some bargaining with them,” she says. “Finally, they did agree that if we would take over, they would put some dollars towards ensuring that if it needed repairs, that the funds were there.”
MacQuarrie says they received $250,000 to take it over, with an additional $150,000 possible, if needed due to conditions of the system.
Utility and Review Board officials have approved an increase for residents of the amalgamated system- rates will increase from $37.62 with a consumption rate charge of $1.18 per cubic meter this year (started Apr. 1) to $43.32 and $1.27 consumption rate charge per cubic metre as of Apr. 1, 2019.
As of Apr. 1, 2020, the cost will increase to $50.12, with $1.35 consumption rate charge per cubic metre.
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