City Council Approves 2022 Rate Budget

HAMILTON, ON – During today’s City Council meeting, Council approved the City of Hamilton’s 2022 Water, Wastewater, Storm Water Rate Budget.

The approved 2022 Water, Wastewater, Storm Water Rate Budget results in a combined rate increase of 4.98 per cent effective January 1, 2022. The average resident’s bill in 2022 will be $824 for a household consuming 200 cubic metres of water annually, representing an increase of $39.05 annually.

This 2022 Water, Wastewater, Storm Water Rate Budget will improve our ability to protect the environment and deliver on our commitments respecting the clean up of Hamilton Harbour. Those investments include projects to:

• Improve water quality in Chedoke Creek and Cootes Paradise
• Reduce combined sewer overflows and wastewater treatment plant bypasses
• Improve the quality of effluent discharged from the Woodward and Dundas Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Help the City prepare for impacts from climate change and implement projects to reduce flooding risks
• Ensure the City’s ability to provide clean, safe drinking water to the community

In particular, in 2022, the City is looking forward to the completion of the upgrades at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant. The commissioning of the new Tertiary Treatment Process at the Plant will result in a significant and lasting reduction in contaminants that reach Hamilton Harbour from the City’s treated wastewater effluent. The completion of the Woodward upgrades project will be another significant accomplishment in support of the City’s commitment to the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.

Additionally, similar to the previous 2021 Rate Budget, this investment will continue to enable the homeowner assistance programs related to sewer lateral repair, basement flood prevention, lead service line replacement and water leak adjustments while supporting Hamilton’s ongoing efforts to address the infrastructure deficit and work toward a sustainable level of funding for this critical system. This rate increase reflects a prudent investment for present and future generations, while balancing residents’ ability to pay.

Hamilton’s water rates are the second lowest in the province among comparator communities.