Notice of Public Hearing: Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board

REGION OF QUEENS MUNICIPALITY, on behalf of its WATER UTILITY has applied for approval of amendments to its Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and amendments to its Schedule of Rules and Regulations.

This matter will be considered in a public hearing as follows:

Hearing starts:
Monday, November 29, 2021
10:30 am

Region of Queens Municipality
Council Chambers
249 White Point Road
Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Depending on the circumstances related to COVID-19, this public hearing may be held by GoToWebinar video conferencing.

Board Hearings are open to the public, and you may participate as follows:

  • You may speak at the hearing. You must notify the Board by Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
  • You may make written comments by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board at P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3, or by email at: board@novascotia.ca, or by fax at (902) 424-3919 by Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
  • You may request formal standing as an Intervener, subject to Board approval. This will allow you to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses. Your request must be received by the Board by Friday, September 10, 2021 and a copy of your written evidence by Friday, October 15, 2021.

Additional information about the matter is as follows:

  • For unmetered customers, the current quarterly water bill is $80.94, and it is proposed to increase to $115.20 (a 42.3% increase) in 2022/23; $116.12 (a 0.8% increase) in 2023/24; and $120.58 ( a 3.8% increase) in 2024/25.
  • For residential customers (5/8” meters), the current average quarterly water bill is $75.05, and it is proposed to increase to $84.67 (a 12.8% increase) in 2022/23; $84.96 (a 0.4% increase) in 2023/24; and $88.30 (a 3.9% increase) in 2024/25.
  • For all other metered services, the Utility is requesting amendments ranging from 14.8% to 22.7% in 2022/23; 0.4% to 1.5% in 2023/24; and 3.7% to 3.9% in 2024/25.
  • The annual fire protection charge paid by the Municipality, currently $197,235 is proposed to decrease to $195,474 (a 0.9% decrease) for 2022/23 and remain at this amount for each of 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Upon reviewing the Application, the Board, in its Decision, may determine that the proposed amendments should be as requested, higher, or lower.

A copy of the Application and any timetable applying to this matter may be viewed on the Board’s website at https://nsuarb.novascotia.ca/, by clicking on “Matters & Evidence”, and in the “Go To Files and Documents”, enter Matter No. M10229.