Powell River residents will be looking at a nearly 3 per cent increase for water and sewer services this year.
City council gave three readings to the bylaws last week (March 5) which will result in an overall increase of 2.6 per cent.
That’s about $26 more this year on a single family home ($1,011.09 versus $985.40 in 2025).
Councillor Trina Isakson was the lone councillor to not support the type of rate increase.
“I agree that we do need updates to these bylaws but I preferred an assessed value based levy as opposed to the systems we’re using but I do support the principle of updating the amounts and so I will gladly vote against this motion knowing that it will likely passed with the rest of council’s support,” Isakson said.
Powell River is trying to balance its water and sewer operations as the sewer side is in a structural deficit.
The money residents and businesses have been paying isn’t covering sewer treatment, leading the city to take money from capital to prop up operations.
In December, council ordered a full rate review of water and sewer rates with the goal of putting the sewer side of the system on a “sustainable financial path.”
The financial plan has imposed double-digit increases to sewer rates but its offset by double-digit reductions on the water side.
The reductions on the water side can been done because a city report shows the water side is in a “healthy financial position” given its lower operating costs with higher quality water source at elevation leading to less treatment and pumping costs.
The bylaws are scheduled to be adopted next Thursday (March 19).
The city is also in the midst of trying to transition to a more complete user-pay model.
