Utility rates are going up for West Vancouver taxpayers again starting in the new year.
In a Dec. 9 meeting, District of West Vancouver council approved the 2025 rates for sewage/drainage, water usage and solid waste.
Here is a breakdown of the rates.
Sewerage and drainage increase 18.46 per cent
Sewer and drainage costs are going up from $1,458.03 to an estimated annual charge of $1,859.32, an 18.46 per cent or $343.29 increase from last year for single-family homes.
Multi-family homes will see a $160.50 increase – from $782.06 to $942.56 in 2025.
Most of the cost increase is from the regional sewer and North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant levies. The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant levy (NSWWTP) was established to collect construction costs associated with the Metro Vancouver project. The regional sewer levy will increase from $551.23 to $656.16 – a $104.93 increase for single-family homes.
Other key drivers for increases are municipal sewer operations and maintenance as well as infrastructure and equipment replacement, according to a staff report.
Water utility
Water costs for those in West Vancouver will increase $34.41, from $853.69 to $888.10, in the new year for single-family homes.
For multi-family units, they will see an average cost of $316.99, a $12.19 increase from 2024.
In West Vancouver, water utilities are pay-as-you-go, meaning the specific number on the bill will vary between taxpayers.
Staff say primary cost drivers for the 2025 rates are increased operating expenses, infrastructure construction costs associated with the utility, costs of bulk water purchase from Metro Vancouver as well as inflation. However, actual impact will vary based on metered usage, staff say.
Solid waste
Solid waste will see the lowest increase of West Vancouver utilities in 2025.
For single-family homes, solid waste will increase $10.42 from $347.69 to $358.11. Multi-family units will only see a $2.49 increase from $83.16 to $85.65 in the new year.
West Vancouver’s solid waste utility includes services such as curbside garbage and green waste collection, 3rd Street Landfill/Hugo Ray site monitoring, civic building collection program, community waste reduction programs and education and more.
Staff say drivers for solid waste cost increases include increased fuel costs and inflation as well as recycling in parks. Other drivers are new civic and residential garbage, recycling and organics collection contracts beginning July 1, 2025.
All new rates will be in effect starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. aluciano@nsnews.com