Hamilton City Council Approves 2020 Rate Budget

HAMILTON, ON - During today’s City Council meeting, Council approved the City of Hamilton 2020 Water, Wastewater / Storm water Rate Budget.

The approved rates for the 2020 Water, Wastewater / Storm water Rate Budget results in a combined rate increase of 4.11 per cent effective January 1, 2020.  The average resident’s bill in 2020 will be $753 for a household consuming 200 cubic metres of water annually representing an increase of $29.70 annually.

“Hamilton is taking action to ensure that we continue to have all the clean drinking water we need as well as the wastewater and storm water services we depend upon. We are maintaining and improving our water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure while at the same time ensuring rates, which provide the resources to maintain and improve our systems, continue to remain affordable.”

- Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Hamilton has one of the oldest and most complex water and wastewater systems in Ontario.  This investment will improve our ability to protect the environment and deliver on our commitments respecting harbour clean up, support the homeowner assistance programs related to sewer lateral repair, basement flood prevention and lead service line replacement 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 rates continue to remain among the lowest in Ontario.

Historical Rate Budgets

2017 – Increase of 4.85%, or $30.60

2018 – Increase of 4.50% or $29.75

2019 – Increase of 4.66%, or $32.20

Additional Resources

• Learn more about the 2020 Budget - www.hamilton.ca/Budget2020