Coast residents who receive water and wastewater services from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be paying more in 2024. At the Dec. 14 board meeting, bylaws setting parcel charges and user fees for those utilities were amended for the coming year.
The changes proceeded as recommended following a Nov. 10 review at the SCRD committee level and discussions with the community during information sessions hosted later that month. In board consideration of increases to almost every charge covered by the bylaws, Sechelt director Alton Toth cast the lone vote in opposition.
Water
Within the regional water service area, an increase of about 11 per cent over 2023 rates was endorsed. Annual parcel charges for those properties (in all areas with connections to SCRD water except those on its North and South Pender systems) will range from $450 to $645, depending on lot size. Added to those will be yearly user fees, set at $715 per residential unit, with motels, apartments, mobile homes, and care facilities to be charged per unit fees of between $378 and $576.
For the North Pender service, next year’s residential parcel charge will rise to $440 from the 2023 rate of $380. That area’s annual user fees have been increased from the current level of $918 to $965.
2024 parcel and user rates for those on the South Pender water system were increased, with single-family residential properties on two acres or less to be charged $1,360 for both, compared to $1,193 in 2023. Larger properties and those with commercial uses are charged at higher rates.
Wastewater
In eight of the SCRD’s 15 sewer collection services, 2024 annual parcel charges were increased by $50 over 2023 levels. Properties on the Secret Cove and Sunnyside systems will see those charges go up by $100. Holding at current levels are those rates for residential lots in the Langdale and Roberts Creek Co-Housing service locations. In 2024, parcel charges will range from $402 to $804, depending on the service area.
Added to those will be yearly user charges, where system users will see billings per residential unit that range from $488 for Lee Bay residents to a high of $1,948 for those connected to the Merrill Crescent system in Pender Harbour. Details on new rates for individual systems are posted on the regional district's Let's Talk pages.
