Utility bills in Rocky Mountain House will see mixed changes starting April 1, as one fee decreases while another increases.
Residents will save about $4.62 a month on solid waste pickup fees with the town’s adoption of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for recycling. Under this system, the cost of recycling services will be shifted to producers, which will lower costs for residents while maintaining their regular curbside pickup schedules. Additionally, EPR elsewhere have expanded the types of materials eligible for recycling, including chip bags, shrink wrap, steel or aluminum aerosol containers, cushion packaging, and plastic egg cartons.
On the other hand, the combined water and wastewater rate is set to rise by $16.82 per month for the average household. This increase is part of the town’s efforts to cover the operating and capital costs of municipal services, particularly the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant, which is nearing completion, is expected to meet stricter provincial environmental regulations, will cost $1 million annually to operate and is set to open by mid-2025.
The system will replace the passive lagoon system the town has maintained since the 1980s.
Laura Button, communications coordinator for the town of Rocky Mountain House says the move to EPR, and associated savings, is good news for residents. However, she adds as the new Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to cost more to operate, and will be reflected on future bills as the town maintains a “cost recovery” model for water and wastewater utilities.
Button adds a number of households in town are not connected to municipal water systems, and thus will not see changes reflected, but will still see savings on their residential recycling pickup.
Despite these increases, town officials said the average utility bill for a Rocky residence is expected to remain lower than the regional average. The typical utility bill will be $142 per month, compared to $156 in comparable communities.
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