Toronto considers separate stormwater charge for residents to fund infrastructure improvement projects
(UI) – The City of Toronto is mulling charging residents a stormwater fee, NowToronto.com reported. In what some homeowners are calling a “rain tax,” many residents are confused and concerned about the potential billing change and how it could raise taxes.
Currently, stormwater management costs are wrapped into residents’ water rate. The proposal would see that charge separated from the water rate. The stormwater service charge would be a flat rate based on property water meter size.
According to the City, the stormwater fee would be based on property type, size and surface area. Apartments and condos should see a decrease in utility bills with this proposal. Bigger properties would be eligible for stormwater charge credits.
Some Canadian cities are already “experimenting” with stormwater fees. However, many in Toronto have expressed concerns about quantifying stormwater on properties and the potential increase the proposal could put on current rates.
The goal of the charge, the City said, is to create “a dedicated revenue stream” to improve stormwater infrastructure and mitigate problems cause by extreme weather. Additionally, the City hopes the proposed charge will “encourage” residents to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
This story was originally reported by NowToronto.com
Related News
From Archive
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
Comments