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UTILITIES
News
A water and
sewer rate study was ordered by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) as
part of the 2006 rate increase approval.
The PUB’s 2006 report pointed out the low Utility Reserve levels and
ordered the City to raise the levels of the reserve. Contingency
allowances were also to be included in rate reviews. The Board
issued the 2006 order to only raise rates for 2006 with another
submission for later years.
The main
purpose for the rate increases for 2007 to 2009 inclusive is for the
improvement and replacement of the City’s aging infrastructure in
watermains and sewermains, and the re-building of the City’s Utility
Reserve.
2009 Water & Sewer Rates
The Public Utilities Board approved rate increases in water & sewer
for 2009 with the ability to increase the sewer rates further for
the purposes of nutrient removal.
For Domestic level users, an increase of 6% was approved for 2009
for water and sewer. With an additional 5% in sewer rates for 2009
for nutrient removal, these users will see an average of 8.6% on
their utility bill for water & sewer. This amounts to an increase of
$54 per year for a family consuming 16,000 gallons per quarter, with
$16.00 of that increase dedicated to nutrient removal.
For Industry level users, an increase of 8% was approved for 2009
for water and sewer. With an additional 5% in sewer rates for 2009
for nutrient removal, the mid industry level users will see an
average of 11.6% on their utility bill for water & sewer. This
amounts to an increase of $2,814 per year for an industry consuming
1 MG per quarter, with $840 of that increase dedicated to nutrient
removal.
For Large wet industry level users, they will see an average of
11.6% on their utility bill for water & sewer. This amounts to an
increase of approximately $176,600 per year, with $55,000 of that
increase dedicated to nutrient removal.
See Amended rates above.
Utility Payment Options
The City of Portage la Prairie offers a number of payment options for
utilities. Click here to see a current
schedule of utility rates.
Download the new Schedules for utility rates 2007 - 2009 inclusive
from the News section above.
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan
The city of Portage la Prairie offers the option of
signing up for a pre-authorized payment plan of your utilities, to
find out more click here
to download a brochure and application form.
Budget Based Payment Plan
The City of
Portage
la Prairie is now offering a budget plan for utility payments. The
plan is for monthly, pre-authorized withdrawals of equal amounts from
your financial institution rather than the current system of quarterly
payments based on your actual consumption. The monthly withdrawals are
scheduled to occur on the 15th banking day of each month.
You can sign up for the program by completing and returning an application.
The budget amount on the application will be based on the previous
twelve month consumption period at that location, and will be the
minimum amount allowed for the budget program. You will be advised of
your budget amount.
Your new bill will indicate your current standing in the plan, whether
it be a credit balance or an amount owing. Your account will be
reconciled and the budget amount will be recalculated once a year. At
that time, you will be notified of the calculated budget amount for
the upcoming year.
Although
the new budget plan will automate your payments, we will still require
quarterly meter readings at your service location.
Direct Payment and e-payment options
through TelPay
Click here for more information.
New!!
Pay your
Bills Online!
For more information on this
service CLICK HERE
Change
of Water or Water & Sewer to another user or service:
- $35.00 per meter per turn on (performed during normal working hours)
- $85.00 per meter per turn-on (performed outside of normal working hours)
Construction turn on (for contractor’s use):
- $40.00 per construction turn-on for a period up to the date of substantial
completion of the project as defined by the Builders Liens Act. The Contractor will also be responsible to pay the City the
cost of any water consumed during this period at the applicable sewer
and water rates. There would be a maximum of one construction turn-on per building allowed.
- $85 per construction turn-on performed outside of normal working hours.
If you have any questions please contact
the water department at (204) 239-8370.
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