Mock water bills will soon be replaced by actual water bills in the Comox Valley Regional District.
Beginning December, residents in the Arden, England Road, Greaves Crescent, Marsden/Camco and Comox Valley water local service areas will be charged the following tiered metered water rates, approved Tuesday by the CVRD board:
• $22.17 flat fee per month, up to 15 cubic metres per month;
• Tier 1 charge of 64 cents per cubic metre over 15 m3, up to 45 m3 per month;
• Tier 2 charge of 79 cents per cubic metre over 45 m3 per month.
Rates will be charged on a tri-annual basis.
The issue has sparked a great deal of controversy in recent weeks, especially in Area B (Lazo North). Some residents say their mock bill charges were considerably higher than Courtenay and Comox.
Courtenay charges a $343 flat rate, which jumps to about $400 including frontage tax. Comox residents choose between a flat rate of $327 per year on property tax bills, or a metered rate of 93 cents per cubic metre for consumption exceeding 12 cubic metres per month.
According to the CVRD, about 1,000 of 1,500 rural households will pay the same or less for water under a metered billing system. About 300 households will pay the base amount of $266.04 per year. The flat fee currently in place is $435.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com