The average residential user in Durham Region will pay approximately $36 more per year for their water and sanitary sewer.

Announced Wednesday (Dec. 13), Durham Regional Council approved the 2018 rates, with a combined increase of four per cent, or $9.02 per quarterly billing, for the average user.

“Durham Region offers clean and safe water at a very low cost,” said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer in a release from the Region.

“With an aging municipal water system, we must continue to invest in our infrastructure to protect this necessary resource and meet obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.”

The rates, which the Region says cover costs related to system operation and capital projects, take effect Jan. 1.

“User rates are the main source of funding for infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of Finance & Administration.

“In keeping with the asset management plan, the Region is investing in key capital projects.”

This investment will also help to meet requirements from areas, such as growth and climate change, according to the release.

“The 2018 capital budget addresses investments that are critical to the maintenance of the Region’s water and sanitary sewer system,” said Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki, Chair of Works.

According to the release, Durham Region offers one of the lowest rates of the 13 larger municipalities surveyed across the province. The Region did not specify which “larger municipalities” were surveyed.

These rates are set for residential, non-residential, small- to medium-sized industrial, commercial and institutional water users and large water users. They are reviewed annually and recommendations are made to Regional Council in December.

For more information about Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer user rate increases, in addition to water billing, visit durham.ca.