A change in BC’s water rates not in the cards

HOPE (NEWS 1130) – The ongoing drought and strict watering restrictions in many communities are putting renewed focus on what companies are paying for BC water.

But the MLA for Hope-Chilliwack says an increase in those fees is not in the cards.

Over 160,000 people have now signed a petition on Sumofus.org to try to force the province to review its water rates.

The petition asks the province to charge more than $2.25 per million litres that Nestle pays for BC groundwater.

But MLA Laurie Throness says it wouldn’t be fair to abruptly impose higher fees.

“To ask them to take a large reduction in water right now really cuts into their business, which would cut revenue to the province,” he argues.

Nestle draws water deep below the earth’s surface at Hope’s Kawkawa Lake sub-watershed.

Throness points out other industries use much more water.

“By far the largest user is agriculture. But others include swimming pools, water slides and golf courses.”

Nestle says because it draws water from the aquifer it does not impact rivers, lakes, or other water sources that could be affected by the drought.

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