Bureaucrats recommend Winnipeg increase water, sewer rates by more than 20 per cent by 2027

A report in a new agenda from city bureaucrats recommends jacking up water and sewer rates in Winnipeg by more than 20 per cent over the next four years, but one councillor is worried it's not enough. 

St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes, who chairs the city's water and waste committee, said Winnipeg is saddled with three multimillion-dollar sewer infrastructure projects. He's also concerned there are some big assumptions in the report that if not realized, could push the increase higher.

"The rates as presented … shouldn't surprise anybody, but stand by — there may be more increases to come," said Mayes. 

The water and waste agenda published Tuesday said a family of four using 50 cubic metres of water per quarter will see a hike in rates from $1,260 in 2023 to $1,540 by 2027. 

Winnipeggers will see their water bill climb by almost four per cent this year, according to a report in the agenda. 

But Mayes said the report has three "big assumptions" and that a "somewhat optimistic take" has been used. 

He said the first is the city is assuming it will receive $297 million from the federal or provincial government to help cover the cost of upgrades to the North End Sewage Treatment Plant's biosolids facilities.

Those upgrades were originally called for by the Provincial Clean Energy Commission in 2003 and were initially expected to be completed in the 2010s. 

However, the current timeline plans to have the project completed by the 2030s. 

Mayes also said the combined sewer overflow project is being funded as if it's going to be done by 2095 instead of 2045. 

"I've complained about this many times," he said.

"But that's part of what we need to hammer out with the province. I think if they're going to make us stick to a deadline, that'll have a cost, but maybe that's not a bad trade if they help with the North End." 

Mayes also said there is no money budgeted for removing phosphorus and nitrogen. 

The report will go to the City of Winnipeg's water and waste committee next week.