Halifax Water Proposes Two Rate Hikes Exceeding Eight Percent for 2027 and 2028
Halifax Water has filed a general rate application with the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board, seeking two annual increases of over eight percent in April 2027 and April 2028. The utility cites rising costs for salaries, chemicals, fuel, and aging infrastructure as drivers for the hikes, alongside a temporary deficit-elimination rider.
Halifax Water has submitted a general rate application to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board proposing significant price adjustments for customers. The application seeks two annual rate increases, each valued at more than eight per cent, scheduled for April 2027 and April 2028.
Under the proposal, the first hike would increase the average residential bill by 8.4 per cent on April 1, 2027. The second hike would raise the average residential bill by 8.2 per cent on April 1, 2028.
Kenda MacKenzie, the general manager of Halifax Water, stated that the rate increases are necessary to cover rising costs associated with salaries, chemicals, fuel, and aging infrastructure.
In addition to the base rate increases, the utility has proposed a temporary deficit-elimination rate rider for water and stormwater customers. This rider is designed to recover approved accumulated deficits over a period of no more than five years. The charge will appear as a separate line item on customer bills.
The proposed rate rider represents 0.7 per cent of the 2027 increase, amounting to 65 cents per month. For the 2028 increase, the rider also accounts for 0.7 per cent, costing $1.44 per month.