Windsor homeowners seeing monthly wastewater bill increases in line for city credit
Mayor says 99% of affected households could see 100% reimbursement as stormwater plan gets reset
Windsor residents seeing an increase on monthly stormwater and wastewater bills are in line for a credit from the city, according to the mayor.
The city's new stormwater financial structure, launched earlier this year, is already about to get a reset.
The new approach separated the previous sewer surcharge into distinct wastewater and stormwater line items.
The city said its goal was to save most property owners money by shifting costs for stormwater to properties with large non-absorbent surfaces like big-box stores and parking lots. However, some citizens have said they've experienced an increase to their recent bills since the program rolled out.
"Certainly, I am not happy with the way the stormwater financing plan is landing," said Drew Dilkens. "Homeowners should be paying less under this new system. We are going to make this right."
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The mayor added that he made a commitment, along with council, to residents they were going to see a decrease in their bill — but it hasn't turned out that way.
"We knew we would have some issues with folks on septic systems and at cemeteries and churches; however, on the residential side we did not expect that some residential customers would experience increases, where I committed to 99 per cent of residents realizing savings."
At city council's April 28 meeting, Dilkens is expected to ask council to approve the following items:
- A credit for residential wastewater customers who, because of low water usage, are seeing an increase to their monthly bills.
- A phased-in billing approach for all residential customers currently using a septic system for wastewater removal.
- A reduction to the annual charge for cemeteries, churches, and other designated places of worship.
- A one-time transitional credit for all non-residential and business property owners.
The city estimates around 37,000 residents in Windsor are paying more on their stormwater and wastewater bills — and that they will see a 100 per cent credit. It wouldn't be a full credit for places other than residential homes, such as churches and cemeteries.
Following severe flooding events in 2016 and 2017, the $5 billion 50-plus year city plan was completed in 2020 to help understand the causes of local flooding, evaluate short-term and long-term solutions, and complete preliminary design and cost estimates for drainage improvements.