In June of 2022, all roads South of Hwy 103 at Exit 4, travelling along St Margarets Bay Road, to the Ingramport roundabout were transferred from the Province of Nova Scotia to Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
There have been concerns brought to my attention by residents about the announcement of Halifax Water issuing bills for stormwater. I wanted to provide some of the important history related to the road transfer from the province to HRM, that took place this past June, and the governance of Halifax Water.
Halifax Regional Water Commission (HRWC) was given responsibility in 1996 for operation of the water utility services on consolidation of the various municipalities into Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
In 2007 the Halifax Regional Water Commission Act was amended by the province, at the request of HRM, to transfer responsibility for wastewater and stormwater services to HRWC. Previously, wastewater and stormwater services were the responsibility of HRM and fees to cover the cost of providing those services were collected through ordinary municipal taxes.
With the transfer of responsibility for wastewater and stormwater it became necessary for HRWC to establish a fee to maintain existing systems and build new ones where needed. In 2013 and after the necessary cost studies were complete, HRWC applied for, and the Board approved the collection of a stormwater charge based on a flat fee for each residential property that had impervious areas (a “site related flow” charge). Essentially, if some or all water runoff drains into a HRWC stormwater system then the property owner will receive a bill for stormwater services.
Here is some of the important history related to the road transfer from the province to HRM, that took place this past June, and the governance of Halifax Water:
- HRM requested the change to the Public Utilities Act (provincial legislation) allowing the transfer of wastewater and stormwater to Halifax Water and out of the city’s public works (and therefore general tax base).
- Halifax Water’s governance is effectively controlled by their Board of Commissioners–4 of whom are HRM Councillors.
- The Public Utilities Act requires the ratepayers that give rise to the expense to pay for the expense. Allocation of expenses is done by the utility (a “cost of service study”) and subject to approval through a public process at the UARB. Rates are set by the utility and are also subject to review/approval by the UARB in a public process. Documentation on the applications and approval process is publicly available on the UARB’s website.
- Halifax Water is responsible for advising residents that they will become subject to any charges for stormwater or wastewater when a service area expands.
- If a resident feels they are being improperly charged for a service but not receiving it they must complain to the utility first (i.e., Halifax Water). If they feel the utility’s answer is wrong, they can then complain to the Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO). The decision of the DRO can be appealed to the UARB.
- It is possible to receive stormwater services without receiving water from Halifax Water. They are different services.
You can find helpful frequently asked questions on stormwater here.
If you would like to file a complaint, it can be filed online here.