The United Way of Bruce Grey says some residents are having trouble paying their City of Owen Sound water and sewer bills.
The United Way reports they processed 16 requests for assistance with those bills, and prevented disconnection of those services for all 16 applicants this year.
The United Way and other social service agencies have paid almost $16,000 to the city to cover bills for customers.
The United Way is concerned with the sudden increase in applicants this year. And they say quarterly billing is part of the problem as people have trouble saving for the bill.
The United Way would like to see the city undertake a pilot project to provide monthly billing to all Owen Sound Not-for-profit housing units, all Grey County housing units and any Owen Sound resident who has experienced arrears and wishes to “opt in”
City of Owen Sound water rates are being held steady this year. However sewage charges will increase by 8%.
City Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan says, “Much of this increase is required to help pay for the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade that will be completed early this summer.”
As one of the last primary treatment plants on the Great Lakes, this upgrade to a secondary treatment facility will help to maintain the environmental quality of Georgian Bay.
An average Owen Sound family will see an increase in their combined water and wastewater bill of about $4 per month starting will bills after May 1, 2017.
