On December 7, 2023, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2024 Rate-Supported Operating & Capital Budget. Otherwise known as the Water & Wastewater Budget, this important strategic document ensures that reliable, safe, clean and affordable potable water is available to residents across the County. New water & wastewater rates take effect on January 1, 2024.
This Rate-Supported Budget deals exclusively with water and wastewater treatment initiatives & is funded directly by user rates (with no financial support from property taxes).
The 2024 budget includes $67.5 million in capital expenditures on the water side, $52 million of which is for the Nanticoke Water Treatment Plant Capacity Expansion project and fully recoverable from Norfolk County. In addition, $3.9 million has been set aside for expenditures on the wastewater side to maintain, improve and optimize the operation of existing systems and to add capacity in response to growth.
Over the 10-year capital forecast period there is approximately $227 million allocated for enhancements to municipal sewer and water infrastructure.
Major projects slated for 2024 include, but are not limited to:
- Nanticoke Water Treatment Plant capacity expansion project (engineering)
- Lake Erie Industrial Park wet well pumping refurbishments
- Caledonia Standpipe interior relining
- Caledonia North water storage expansion
- Highway #6 Transmission main twinning
- Dunnville Water Treatment Plant roof replacement
The average residential combined water & wastewater user will see a slight increase of about $1.41 (1.64%) on their average monthly bill and all bulk services (i.e. water depot, septic holding treatment, etc.) will increase by 3%.
Factors impacting the 2024 Rate-Supported budget and user rates include:
- an increase to Ontario Clean Water Agency and Veolia water and wastewater operations contracts based on annual inflationary increases and rising chemical costs;
- increases to the rate the City of Hamilton charges Haldimand County for water and increased consumption of water (due to growth), and;
- the addition of an Asset Management and Improvement Manager to focus on water and wastewater program enhancements.
Overall, Haldimand’s water & wastewater rates remain below the provincial average due to ongoing strategic planning efforts and diligent asset management practices. Over the Term of Council (2023-2027), rates are expected to remain stable due to a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure maintenance/rehabilitation schedule and a projected increase in user growth.
Council will next review the Tax-Supported Operating & Capital Budgets on the following dates:
Tax-Supported Capital Budget: February 1, 2024
Tax-Supported Operating Budget: February 29, 2024
More information about County budgets, user fees/rates and taxes is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/financials.
