Halifax Water appeals stormwater ruling that could affect thousands

Halifax Water is appealing a ruling on a stormwater charge that could affect thousands of people whose properties have both commercial and residential usage.

An independent dispute resolutions officer ruled in favour last month of Joanne Pullin, a Fletchers Lake resident who argued she could not afford to pay her annual stormwater bill after it jumpedto $1,063.30 from $73.35.

Pullin's property on Holland Roadis considered 94 per centresidential and six per centcommercial.The commercial zoning is for a concrete pad where a cell tower is located.

"This water bill is a third of my annual tax billthat's astronomical," said Pullin. "I'm a single person trying to take care of this property."

According to Halifax Water, if any part of a property is zoned commercial, the commercial stormwater rate is applied. The utility arguesthe ability to pay is not criterionfor setting a charge.

Ruling could 'negatively impact' revenues

In his ruling, the dispute resolutions officer said there is no direction in the regulations for the method Halifax Water is using to calculate stormwater bills.

The officer ordered Halifax Water to calculate separate charges for the residential and commercial sections of Pullin's property.

Halifax Water has appealed the decision to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. The utility saysthe decision effectively amends the rules and regulations for stormwater charges set up by the board in 2017.

The utility also argues if the decision stands, it could be applied to 3,800 other properties with mixed assessments.

According to its letter of appeal, that would "negatively impact Halifax Water's ability to achieve the revenues"needed to operate the stormwater system.

James Campbell, a spokesperson for the utility, said in an email to CBC News that Halifax Water is seeking clarity on the regulations from the utility and review board.