City increased water rate by 30%

Representatives of the Incorporation of the City of Salmon Arm announced upcoming changes in utility rates. Beginning on January 1, 2024, there will be a 30% increase in water rates and a 10% increase in sanitary rates. For users who pay a residential flat rate, this means you can expect an additional cost of $92.40 for water and $34.70 for sanitary services.

They claimed utility rates increased for several reasons:

• global costs of raw materials and equipment have risen
• aging water system demands more significant investments in infrastructure replacement
• higher borrowing costs make it financially wise to save for future capital needs
• The City is transitioning to sustainable infrastructure replacement funding to promote fair and equitable funding across generations

There are several issues with the water within the boundary of the Incorporation of the City of Salmon Arm. First at all, 96% of city water {tap water} is from the Shuswap Lake where sewage and black water are being flushed, including black water from the hospital, commercial and private facilities. Secondly the 204 km of water pipes are composed of various materials including 81.1 km of asbestos cement, of which 38.9%, were installed between 1950 and 1978.

https://freeshuswap.com/the-water-issue-in-salmon-arm/

Another issue is added fluoride in the water. Fluoride is a trace mineral that, in sufficient quantity, is harmful to mental health. Consider these reasons to avoid fluoridated water and toothpaste.

www.freeshuswap.com/fluoride-as-a-neurotoxin-how-it-harms-your-brain/

But the biggest shock for the residents of Salmon Arm was the 4 stages of water restrictions created by City bureaucrats and formally approved by the council. In stage 4 no watering was permitted for lawns, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and food producing plants and trees. Failure to comply with these restrictions could have resulted in a fine, metered water rates or a discontinuation of service.

Stage 4 was in effect from August 18 – August 30 and was implemented by Chief Executive Officer Erin Jackson, the Director of engineering and public works, Robert Niewenhuzein and utility manager John Rasmuson. These restrictions were approved by the council on August 21, 2023.

During that time, gardeners, local farmers, and even commercial food producers were not allowed to water their crops. Thirteen days without water during the high summer will kill all vegetables and berry shrubs so many continued to water, defying the restriction rather than losing everything. Not only this year’s crops, but seedlings and perennial plants for other seasons would have also been affected.

https://freeshuswap.com/salmon-arm-water-restrictions/

The other reason to increase the water and sanitary rates, all taxes and fees is the yearly increase of City employee’s wages due to inflation based on the contract with CUPE- the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

And what about the public? No open discussion has been made, no option to voice concerns was created. It looks like the “bureaucrats” forgot that they are servants to the public; accountable to the public and paid by the public. The gap between bureaucracy and real life is getting bigger and bigger.

DB, CB