Halifax Water had a rate increase approved by the provincial regulatory board, but the utility will not be getting the full amount it asked for, heading into 2026.
A decision from the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB) on Tuesday said the initial 36 per cent increase the utility asked for represented “rate shock.”
The utility’s proposal sought an increase of 15.8 per cent on Jan. 1, and another jump of 17.1 per cent on April 1. The board decided to deny Halifax Water’s inclusion of “deficit elimination” in its proposal, which it says would have accounted for about 10 per cent of the April 1 increase.
The board chose to approve a rate increase, but is requiring Halifax Water to recalculate its rates within one week based on the NSRAB’s decision.
“We are reviewing the impact of today’s decision and remain committed to providing reliable service to our customers and the environment,” said Kenda MacKenzie, General Manager of Halifax Water. “Our team works hard to provide reliable water, wastewater and stormwater service while controlling costs and maintaining good service for our customers.”
The utility, which operates on a break-even basis, says its rate increase request was driven by cost pressures, including rising inflation and interest rates, as well as depleted reserve funds and aging infrastructure.
It adds that the coming increase will be the first rate hike since April 2023.
