If you are an average family, the bill you receive quarterly from the City of Owen Sound for your water and waste water will be going up by about $4.00 a month, starting with bills after May 1 this year.

That might not be what you think you heard when Mayor Ian Boddy stated, "I am pleased that our residents will see no increase in their water bills this year."

It is true that the City of Owen Sound water rates will remain the same for 2017, but Waste Water (sewage) charges, which are based on the amount of water used and appear on the same bill, will increase by 8%. City Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan says, "Much of this increase is required to help pay for the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade that will be completed early this summer."

As one of the last primary treatment plants on the Great Lakes, this upgrade to a secondary treatment facility will help to maintain the environmental quality of Georgian Bay.  Both the provincial and federal governments contributed $15 million each to the project, which began in 2014, and the City's $18 million share is being financed by the Waste Water fees.

Take a drone tour of the plant's progress as of last October.

Photo: J.L. RICHARDS & ASSOCIATES LIMITED