SASKWATER ANNOUNCES RATE INCREASE

To help ensure that SaskWater continues to meet customer needs in the province for safe, reliable, quality water, the corporation will be raising its rates effective May 1.

The increase affects customers that do not have automatic rate adjustments as part of their contract, this includes 25 municipal customers, 23 industrial customers and 46 water utility boards.

“Like other utilities, SaskWater faces constant challenges through rising costs, aging infrastructure and evolving regulations,” Minister responsible for SaskWater David Forbes said.  “Communities across Saskatchewan realize that safe, quality water is a valuable resource, and pricing should reflect the actual costs of providing that resource.”

Rates will increase by 6 per cent for potable water (drinking water) and 4 per cent for non-potable water customers.  As a result, potable customers will be paying on average 45 cents more per sales unit (1000 gallons), industrial potable customers will pay on average 35 cents more per sales unit, and non-potable customers will pay on average 10 cents more per sales unit.  SaskWater is contacting municipal and industrial customers affected by the rate increase.

Many municipalities across the province are also raising water rates, as operating, labour, construction and administrative costs continue to rise annually.

“SaskWater understands the importance of good quality, safe drinking water for our communities,” Forbes said.  “That’s why we continue to invest in technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our systems to ensure reliability for years to come.”

In 2006, $5.6 million was spent on capital infrastructure projects and upgrades, remote monitoring, and the implementation of an asset management program.  SaskWater owns and operates seven water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants, 30 pumping facilities and over 770 km of pipeline.

SaskWater launched a comprehensive asset management project in 2006 to proactively manage corporate assets, such as equipment and treatment plants.  The company is also implementing improvements to its remote monitoring system to increase safety and efficiency.

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For more information, contact:

Greg Argue
SaskWater
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3480