Water Rate Structure Review

The City of Ottawa is currently in the early consultation stage of conducting a review of the water, wastewater, fire supply, and stormwater rate structures. The goal, according to City staff, is to have rates “more fairly” applied to residents and businesses. While many changes being explored are focused on urban Ottawa, there will be changes that impact rural residents, particularly concerning stormwater rates.

The notable change being proposed for rural Ottawa would be that City staff are looking to expand the stormwater charge to all properties, including agricultural, forested, and vacant properties. Additionally, the City intends to move from a flat rate for stormwater charges toward a charge that is based on the amount of impervious surface on a property – that is, the amount of the property that is covered by buildings, patios, decks, driveways, and other kinds of hard surfaces that water cannot penetrate easily. 

I recognize the intent behind examining changes to the rate structure is to cover the unpredictable costs of delivering water and wastewater services. However, I did not support the introduction of the stormwater charge that was imposed in 2017, and I am vehemently opposed to the proposed changes now. The result will be unfair and inequitable to rural Ottawa. The proposed changes will not lead to better service in rural Ottawa; the idea is simply another ill-conceived tax grab. After recently speaking to many residents, it is clear that my concerns are widely shared in our ward.

While there has been no formal proposal for an outright increase in fees for rural property owners and nothing has been approved by City Council, the direction that staff are attempting to go in will result in fee increases for many rural property owners. Comparing these proposed changes to the existing “ditch tax” – which does little to assist in the maintenance of rural ditches – increasing taxes does not always mean there will be an enhancement to services.

I am concerned that residents who pay into municipal drains and have established drainage rights that already manage stormwater will be asked by the City to pay for impervious portions of their properties. In its pursuit of extracting ever-increasing taxes and revenues from residents, the City is looking to impose what can best be described as a solution in search of a problem.

I am opposed to the direction that the City appears to be going in and will continue to advocate for a return to the old billing system, where only those connected to sewer systems are expected to pay the stormwater charge and residents who maintain their own ditches are not saddled with these charges.  

There is still time to submit your thoughts on the water rate structure review as the City will be conducting stakeholder engagement until the end of the year. You can do this by going to engage.ottawa.ca/rates to provide your feedback online or attend one of the upcoming rural community consultation sessions. You can also email your thoughts to waterrates@ottawa.ca. I strongly urge residents to provide their feedback on how this will negatively and unfairly affect people living in rural Ottawa.