Mayor points to inflation, deterioration as main reasons for rate hike
Rising costs and an aging sewer system mean higher sewer rates for households in the District of Carleton North in the coming year.
Mayor Andrew Harvey announced the increases at the Nov. 26 council meeting.
“Due to the increasing expenses associated with repairing and maintaining aging sewer systems, which include higher costs for materials, labour, and compliance with regulatory standards, the District of Carleton North will be increasing sewer rates for Florenceville-Bristol and Centreville effective January 1, 2025,” he told councillors.
Florenceville-Bristol rates will increase from $311.40 to $390.00, and Centreville rates will increase from $360.00 to $390.00. The “Early Bird” discount option for Centreville will also be removed. Florenceville-Bristol will also be switched to quarterly billing, with the first bill issued in March 2025.
Mayor Harvey said the sewer systems were installed in 1992 and have yet to be significantly upgraded. Likewise, the rates have remained the same for over 20 years.
Harvey said both sewer systems (Centreville and Florenceville-Bristol) need “significant work…done to the lagoons.”
The Florenceville-Bristol system will be overhauled starting next year, as it is now at capacity.
“It’s been thirty-five years since [the systems] were put in, and there’s been a lot of development since then,” said Harvey. “We need to be looking to the future.”
The Centreville system will receive updates within the next few years. Harvey said that the increase in sewer rate will help pay for the cost of upgrades and ongoing maintenance.
