Water rates are going up six per cent for residential and commercial users on the City of Kelowna system.

Staff made the recommendation to council at its Jan. 22 regular meeting.

Coun. Mohini Singh wanted to know if agricultural customers were consulted about the increase, adding she害羞草研究所檚 hearing from them that water rates are too high.

害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 tend to go out and ask members of the community if they feel that a six per cent rate increase is going to be appropriate,害羞草研究所� said Kevin Van Vliet, utility services manager. 害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 the purview to make that decision.害羞草研究所�

Van Viet told council that the city害羞草研究所檚 water system is aging, operating costs are increasing and renewal costs are three to four times what they were 10 years ago.

The six per cent hike would be in place for 2024 and 2025 and amounts to $2.98 extra per month for the average single-family home.

害羞草研究所淐ouncil and the community should prepare for ongoing rate adjustments around six per cent annually in the future,害羞草研究所� Van Vliet added.

He noted that Kelowna water rates are comparable to other utility providers in the Okanagan.

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