Halifax customers start paying more for their water

Water is now more expensive for nearly 80,000 water customers in Halifax, whererates have gone up by nearly nine per cent.

The Nova ScotiaUtility and Review Board estimates the average residential customer will be paying 8.7 per cent more starting with their next bill. The rate jumped on Monday.

Another hike of nearly 13 per cent is coming next April.

Those numbers are based on annual water consumption of 188 cubic metres but will vary depending on water usage.

The Halifax Water Commission said the money will be spent replacing aging pipes.

Provincial regulators will not allow the water service to charge more for stormwater costs. Instead, the Halifax Regional Municipality will assume responsibility, about $3 million per year.