Residents' water bills will be going up after Toronto City Council approved a 3.75 per cent interim rate increase that also applies to solid waste management fees.
The new rates take effect Jan. 1, though final figures will be determined through the 2025 budget process that launches later in the month.
According to city estimates, the 3.75 per cent interim rate increase for water will mean an additional $39 annually, for a total annual cost of $1,078, for the average Toronto household using 230 cubic metres of water per year.
The city said that water services do much more than just provide drinking water to residents.
"Toronto Water provides safe drinking water, collects and treats wastewater and manages stormwater while investing in infrastructure to support growth, address aging assets and mitigate the impacts of climate change," said a City of Toronto news release.
The city's estimates for the new yearly solid waste fees for a single-family household are:
- $306.36 for a small bin (an increase of $11.07)
- $371.91 for a medium bin (an increase of $13.44)
- $505.12 for a large bin (an increase of $18.26)
- $585.89 for an extra-large bin (an increase of $21.18)
Solid waste management services fees also pay for much more than residential garbage collection. They cover the collection of large items and electronics, as well as "city-wide litter collection, community environment days, street and park bin collection, drop-off depots and the ongoing care of closed landfills," said the news release.
The city offers rebates on water and solid waste charges for eligible low-income seniors and people living with a disability. Find more information at www.toronto.ca/taxandutilityrelief.
