The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission is signing off on rate increases over the next four years.
Combined water and wastewater rates for the average resident are up $5 from 2014 to $74.50 this year, and by 2018, will be at $88 per month.
PUC General Manager Tom Kissner points to covering $22.4-million in annual lifecycle costs as a major expense.
"Certainly, there's encouragement from the province to be fully sustainable or have full cost recovery," says Kissner. "The commission I think was very proactive in supporting the four-year rate plan and moves us in the right direction."
The PUC currently funds 26% of its annual lifecycle costs and, with the rate increase, plans to be up to 55% by 2018.
