According to “Region of Peel: working for you”, water bills issued from April 1st, 2015 have increased for the Peel region. There was a water rate increase of 7.4 per cent and wastewater increase of 6.7 per cent, which means that the average household will see an annual increase of around $39.
In spite of this increase however, the Peel region “continues to have the lowest combined water and wastewater rates in the GTA,” and since our regions’ water and wastewater operations are debt free, it means we are actually paying for services and not for an “interest on debt”.
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WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR?
[two]The Region of Peel provides “water and wastewater services for it’s residents and businesses”. When we drink from the tap we can be sure that the water has been “treated and tested” and that it’s okay for us to drink. In order for the water to actually be of excellent quality, the water system needs constant maintenance and replacement. This means that we are primarily paying for the water system to always be in a state of good repair, so we can have water of excellent quality. “When we take a shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry, the wasterwater flows into Peel’s wastewater treatment facilities where all water is treated before being returned to the environment”.
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This means that we are also largely paying for the treatment of wastewater. The treatment of wastewater is essential because wastewater is used water that can contain very harmful substances which can negatively effect our health, and the environment. We are also paying for the maintenance of water meters that measure the amount of water we use. The maintenance of water meters is essential because it ensures the meter readings are accurate, and that we are being charged appropriately. We are also paying for the “pumping stations that bring water to our property, and those that take it away,” and for the general “increasing and expanding of the water and wastewater system,” which is needed in order to accommodate the growing population of the Peel Region.
REDUCING YOUR BILL AND THE FUTURE
The Region of Peel: working for you suggests using less water and fixing any leaks to keep the water bills low. But in the near future, as of 2016 to be exact, we can expect a new storm water charge to appear in our bills as well. Storm water comes from rain and snow and goes to the drains outside, leading to “a large and complex network of pipes”. It’s important to keep this system in good working order, to avoid floods and to protect the environment as much as possible.Since Mississauga is a growing city with many hard surfaces that generate runoff, and since there is more rainfall then ever before, there is greater strain on the aging piping system that is in need of maintenance and repair.