✅ SECTION 1 - Rate Increase Explainer

Why Your Water & Sewer Rates Are Increasing (2026–27)

What Council Approved

• 8% increase in 2026

• 8% increase in 2027

• About $6.50 per month more for most households

Where the Money Is Going

According to the CFO:

• 3–4% → inflation + operating costs

• 4–5% → building reserves for future replacement

• Utilities must legally fund themselves, not rely on taxes.

What’s Missing

These increases were approved before residents saw:

• Water Master Plan

• Sewer Master Plan

• Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Plan

• 30-Year Asset Management Plan

Without those documents, residents cannot verify:

• future project costs

• long-term replacement needs

• whether reserves are enough

• whether 8% is the right number

• whether more increases are coming later

Current Reserve Balances (As Stated Nov 2025)

• Water Reserve: $1.16M

• Sewer Reserve: $1.20M

• WWTP Reserve: $590K

Why It Matters

Water and sewer projects cost millions, not thousands.
Raising fees without showing the numbers undermines trust.

Bottom Line

The issue isn’t the rate increase -
it’s the lack of transparent data behind it.

✅ SECTION 2 - “Where Your Water Money Goes”

Where Your Water & Sewer Dollars Actually Go

1. Day-to-Day Operations (35–45%)

• Pumping and treatment

• Water quality testing

• Staff and labour

• Chemicals and supplies

2. Repairs & Maintenance (20–30%)

• Fixing leaks

• Lift-station repairs

• Emergency failures

• Valve and hydrant replacement

3. Long-Term Replacement Reserves (20–30%)

• Saving for future pipe replacement

• Upgrading the wastewater plant

• Electrical and control systems

• Large-scale infrastructure renewal

4. Billing & Administration (5–10%)

• Utility billing

• Meter reading

• Financial management

Why Replacement Costs Matter

Upcoming projects can include:

• Water main replacement

• New reservoirs

• Sewer force-main replacement

• Wastewater plant modernization

These projects cost millions, which is why reserves must be accurate and well-planned.

✅ SECTION 3 - Infrastructure Timeline

Harrison’s Water & Sewer Timeline (2021–2035)

2021–2023

• Village continues using outdated planning documents

• No modern master plans published

• WWTP reserve remains under $600K

2024

• Work begins on new Water, Sewer, and WWTP master plans

• No public drafts released

• New provincial housing laws increase infrastructure pressure

2025

• Nov 18:

  • Council approves 8% rate hikes

  • Reserve levels disclosed verbally

  • Master plans still not released

  • No long-term cost modelling presented

• Staff suggests plans “coming in December” (no dates given)

2026

Expected public release of:

• Water Master Plan

• Sewer Master Plan

• WWTP Master Plan

• 30-Year Asset Management Plan

These should include:

• Total 30-year replacement costs

• Required annual reserve contributions

• Project timelines

• Risk levels

• Funding gaps

2027–2035

• Major water/sewer systems expected to reach end-of-life

• Potential outcomes if funding gaps are large:

  • steep utility increases

  • borrowing or debt

  • special levies

  • delayed repairs