NOTICE
of upcoming utility rate changes for 2017
To help our customers plan and budget for their utility costs,
costs enclosed are anticipat
anticipated rates for 2017.
Billing inquiries 519-741-2450
www.kitchener.ca/utilityrates2017
NATURAL GAS RATES
EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2017
NEW - Ontario Cap and Trade Charge
The Ontario cap and trade program is a provincially legislated emission trading system launched by the Ontario government
to reduce the impacts of climate change. It places a price on the emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Because natural
gas is a fossil fuel, it is subject to this new charge. Kitchener Utilities must purchase emission allowances on behalf of its
customers. To recover these costs a charge of 3.5647 cents per cubic metre will be added to your bill. This will be included
within the delivery rate on your bill.
Kitchener Utilities’ natural gas rates will change effective Jan. 1, 2017 to be aligned with the new Ontario cap and trade charge.
The new rates
EFFECTIVE JAN. 1
include:
•
•
•
•
Supply rate decrease to 9.5 cents per cubic metre;
Transportation rate increase to 5 cents per cubic metre;
For M1 customers, delivery rate decrease to 6.9890 cents per cubic metre;
For M2 customers, reducing the delivery rate tiers to one tier to 6.1873 cents per cubic metre.
For the average residential customer, the combined impact of this rate change is net zero from Kitchener Utilities.
The new Ontario cap and trade charge is expected to produce an increase of 10 per cent or about $71 per year for the
average residential system gas customer.*
*The average residential customer uses 2,100 cubic meters of natural gas annually.
The City of Kitchener will be reviewing new water, sanitary sewer and stormwater utility rates during the 2017 Kitchener
budget process. As part of a multi-year approach to funding maintenance and long-term infrastructure replacement,
increases are being proposed for each of these utilities. Making sure that Kitchener Utilities delivers safe, clean and
reliable water to you every time you turn on the tap is our commitment to you. Having a multi-year approach to funding
our aging infrastructure is critical and will enable us to deliver on this commitment today, and for generations to come.
Proposed 2017 Utility Rates
Water rate
Sewer rate
Stormwater rate*
Combined monthly impact
2016 RATE
$2.0852
$2.4090
$11.4400
PROPOSED
2017 RATE
$2.2437
$2.6692
$12.4900
MONTHLY INCREASE FOR
AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
$2.69
$4.42
$1.04
$8.15/month
AS A%
7.6%
10.8%
9.2%
* The rate shown is for the average household, please refer to your bill to see rate applicable to your property.
Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program (WREAP)
The Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals and families with
low-incomes who are in need of emergency financial assistance to help pay their heating and hydro bills.
Where do I go for help?
Where do I go for help?
The Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals and families with
• If you
areare
receiving
Ontario
Works, speak
with yourassistance
caseworker to
about
energy
assistance.
low-incomes
who
in need
of emergency
financial
helpaccessing
pay their
heating
and hydro bills.
•
If you are not receiving Ontario Works, please call the APPLICATION LINE at 519-883-2100 and
select option #1 to speak with an INTAKE COORDINATOR about energy assistance.
When you call Community Services, you will need to provide the following:
•
•
•
•
•
Social Insurance & Health Card Number
Banking information, including account number
Information on assets and income
Rent or mortgage amount
Information of your disconnection notice