Halifax Water applies for big rate increase. Heres how much more you could pay – Halifax [Video]

Halifax Water has applied for a 16.2 per cent increase in residential bills because it is facing “significant” operating deficits due to inflation, depleted reserve funds and aging infrastructure.

According to the municipally-owned utility, the application to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB) is asking for a 16.2 per cent increase in average residential bills in 2025/26 and a 17.6 per cent increase in 2026/27.

Halifax Water estimates the average annual bill will increase by $148.01 in 2025/26 and $186.56 in 2026/27.

Operating deficits are projected to be $18.7 million for 2024/25 and $34.1 million for 2025/26, Halifax Water said in a Monday news release.

“We understand that requests for rate increases come at a time when many households are already feeling the pinch of rising costs, but it is unavoidable,” said Kenda MacKenzie, general manager and CEO of Halifax Water, in the release.

“Operating as a not-for-profit, …