Water meters fairer but will raise Saint Johners' bills, former deputy mayor says
A former Saint John deputy mayor says water meters are unlikely to save the average family much money than the present system and could end up costing them a lot more.
Stephen Chase got to know the pros and cons of meters when he served for several years on the the city's water commission. He was a member in 2005 when Saint John first moved to introduce universal metering and then backed away from the plan.
Meters would encourage water conservation, Chase said, but the city would still have to cover its infrastructure and operating costs from utility customers.
He doubted it would be any easier this time for Saint John, which has just launched a $124,000 study to look at how the city charges its water customers and whether it makes sense to introduce residential meters.
"At its core Saint John has high operating costs for its water utility," said Chase. "That cost today is $45 million. So that revenue needs to be captured right across the board on all customers."
Chase said only households with one or two people would be likely to save money with water meters, while most others would pay higher rates.
Still, meters are a good thing, he said, and it is inevitable they will be introduced in Saint John. He believes it is only a matter of time before the federal or provincial government mandates the use of meters.
"It's an equitable system, it's an inducement to conserve water, it's a best practice," said Chase.
In early 2005, Saint John council approved a water and sewage budget that set aside $1 million "to begin the universal metering program."
A year later however, citing "considerable preliminary work that needs to be completed," the project was deferred and the money allocated elsewhere.
The city did launch a pilot program that saw water meters placed in a number of homes.
Anne McShane, who took part, became a believer.
"It's been excellent for us," said McShane. "2016 it was around $765 for the entire year, and it looks like it's on track this year to run about the same."
Most residents of single-family homes in are paying a flat water and sewer rate of $1,296.
"There are only two people in our house," McShane said. "So when people say it may hurt families, I totally get that."
McShane said she would be prepared to pay a little more on the fixed, "service delivery" portion of her bill to help cushion families who might face sharply higher bills with the introduction of meters.
"I'm OK with that if it helps it work for everyone," said McShane.
"I think the benefits outweigh the costs, while it's a longer term win. Those are the things that make a community sustainable."
