HOMEOWNERS in the District of North Vancouver will see an almost 10 per cent rise in their overall utility charges next year, rising from $1,177 to $1,294.
An even steeper hike - 12.9 per cent - is expected for 2013, before the rate increases level off into the twos and threes. By 2016, district utility rates are projected to rise 34.1 per cent from today's costs.
District council approved the 2012 rates Monday.
Solid waste and recycling charges for a single family home will tick up by $13 to $283. Although Metro Vancouver tipping fees will almost double over the next five years, district staff are hopeful that increased diversion through recycling and composting can offset this. The district currently diverts 61 per cent of its waste away from landfills. Metro's target is 70 per cent.
Water charges will rise by 8.1 per cent, or $41 for a single-family home. As with many Lower Mainland communities, the district's per capita water usage has been falling, but this actually makes for a higher unit cost as Metro has to cover its fixed costs over a smaller number of cubic metres.
The largest rate increase is for sewerage, which will tack on an additional 15.8 per cent or $63 to reach $461 in 2012. This covers both growing Metro Vancouver charges and increased district spending on new connections and proactive storm sewer cleaning. This number does not address the "significant" funding needed to construct the planned Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to utility manager Lorn Carter,.
