Water and sewer bills in Warman will be going up by $5.00 per month effective May 1, 2023.
Warman City Council gave second and third readings at a meeting on Monday, March 13 to a bylaw that would implement a Waste Water Infrastructure flat rate levy of $5 per month to water and sewer utility bills.
First reading of the bylaw was approved at a council meeting on February 27.
The new flat rate infrastructure levy is a separate fee that would be added to all water bills.
The current monthly water and sewer rates, which came into effect January 1, 2023, will remain unchanged. The current water rates include a minimum charge of $48.26 for 1,750 gallons or less; and a rate of $27.58 per 1,000 gallons for consumption over 1,750 gallons.
According to a report tabled at the February 27 council meeting by the city administration, the new infrastructure levy is needed to help cover ongoing operational costs at the recently-expanded and updated municipal sewage lagoon.
The larger lagoon capacity requires the use of new aeration equipment and SAGR blowers.
The innovative SAGR system allows wastewater to be treated effectively even during the winter. The system consists of a clean stone bed on the bottom of the lagoon that is fully aerated, allowing water to flow through the substrate while a layer of insulating mulch at the surface that prevents ice formation in the bed.