Garbage, sewer and water fees could go up in 2022 by $46 for a single-family home in Richmond bringing the total for these three services to $1,307.
Richmond city council is dealing with proposed utility hikes at Monday’s finance meeting in anticipation of its 2022 budget, which sets homeowner taxes for the year.
While a single-family house in Richmond could pay $15 more next year for sewer costs, subsequent years could see even higher increases, based on Metro Vancouver projections.
Over the next four years – 2023 to 2026, increases to Richmond’s sewer bill from Metro Vancouver are projected between 10 and 23 per cent – in 2022, this is just 4.4 per cent.
This would bring the Lulu Island Sewerage Area costs from $28.7 million in 2022 to $51.3 million in 2026.
In 2022, the average single-family house in Richmond could pay about $422 for sewer services, while townhouses are expected to pay $283 and apartments, just over $200.
Metro Vancouver, which treats liquid waste, has raised its rates by 172 per cent since 2006.
Rainy day fund could keep water costs lower
To keep water rates down but allow the city to expand its metering program, city staff are recommending using $700,000 from its $15 million rate stabilization fund, meant to offset huge increases in water utility fees.
These increased water fees would also allow the city to keep working on its program to get all households in Richmond to meter their water consumption.
The flat rate water fee – for a house without a water meter – is currently $691 (proposed at $720 next year) while the average water bill for a metered house is $466 this year.
Metered water fees could go up on average by $18 for single-family homes, $12 for townhouses and almost $9 for apartments.
While garbage pickup fees are also projected to go up, the city pointed out residents can choose smaller bins at a reduced rate.
A 240-litre bin could cost annually, if approved by council, $401 for pickup at a single-family home, but a 120-litre bin is proposed to cost $374. It’s also possible to have a 360-litre bin, which is proposed at $508.
On top of water, sewer and garbage, city staff are recommending drainage and diking fees – set by the City of Richmond for operations and maintenance – increase by almost $18 for single-family homes for a cost of $153 in 2022, and about $8 for multi-family homes, coming to $153.
The operating and capital budgets will be dealt with by council later in the year.
It’s anticipated RCMP costs could go up by more than $6 million as the police force has recently ratified a union contract.
