Ottawa water and sewer rates hiked 7%

Effective May 1, 2014 the City of Ottawa Water and Sewer Rates increased 7% as part of the 'double-barrelled' 7% increases in 2013 and 2014.

Ottawa, like many Canadian cites, is facing a sewer and water system in need of costly upgrades, while water revenues are going down as consumers are simply using less. The city plans to invest more than $2 billion in water and sewer infrastructure through 2021.  Nearly $650 million will be paid using debt.

For the 2014 irrigation season, Ottawa residential and commercial cutomers will be paying a combined rate of $3.4785 per cubic meter to water their landscapes.