Title
Parkland County Proposed Wastewater Transfer Station Fees & Charges 2024
Proposed Motion
That Council support an increase to $11.50/m3 for wastewater disposal at both the Villeneuve and Stony Plain wastewater transfer stations for 2024.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion to recover the costs associated with operating the subject wastewater transfer stations.
Purpose
To obtain support from Council for recovering the County's full costs of operating the two wastewater transfer stations including all charges from the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC).
Summary
Over the last several years, the wastewater overstrength charges from ACRWC have been increasing dramatically and are currently at $417,031 per year. In order to recover these charges in addition to our regular sewage charges from the ACRWC and our own operating costs, the charge to wastewater haulers needs to increase to $11.50/m3. On January 1, 2023, the charges were $7.77/m3 and on May 1, 2023, charges were increased to $10/m3 to recover some of the overstrength charges while trying to limit the impact to residents. Administration is recommending the $11.50/m3 charge be implemented starting in 2024.
An Administrative Report is attached to give Council a background on the wastewater transfer stations, historical charges, current revenues and costs forecasts. In the report there is an attachment with potential options that could be explored using a consultant to help reduce the future overstrength costs to the County.
The proposed wastewater disposal fee of $11.50/m3 will be brought back to Council as part the proposed 2024 Fees & Charges Bylaw.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Responsible Leadership - To strive for organizational excellence in delivering County Services and programs to residents, businesses, and community groups
Financial Impact:
Assuming wastewater haulers pass additional costs onto their rural residential customers, the increases in costs starting January 1, 2024 relative to January 1, 2023 are estimated as follows:
>For 13.6m3 holding tanks emptied monthly
- $50.73 per month extra (Jan 2023 vs. Jan 2024)
- $20.40 per month extra (May 2023 vs. Jan 2024)
>For septic field systems with a 10m3 tank emptied yearly
- $3.11 per month extra (Jan 2023 vs. Jan 2024)
- $1.25 per month extra (May 2023 vs. Jan 2024)
>For treatment systems with a 13.6m3 tank emptied bi-annually
- $2.11 per month extra (Jan 2023 vs. Jan 2024)
- $0.85 per month extra (May 2023 vs. Jan 2024)