TransAqua – the Greater Moncton Wastewater Commission –announced in November 2016 that the current unit rate of $210 will remain the same for 2017. Unfortunately, recent media reports have incorrectly linked increasing water and sewer rates in the Greater Moncton Area to TransAqua’s Project.

The recently announced three level funding agreement between TransAqua, the Province of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada means that TransAqua will not be required to borrow any money to complete this project based on the current engineering cost estimates. TransAqua recognized many years ago the requirement for secondary treatment to meet federal regulations by 2020. A rate increase schedule was initiated in an effort to prevent ‘rate shock’ to its ratepayers upon completion of the Project as has happened in other jurisdictions. Unit rates for wastewater treatment remained at $110 from 1994 to 2004 and gradually increased to $210 by 2016 representing an average annual increase of $8.30 representing the ratepayers portion of paying for the Project.

In 2017, TransAqua is initiating an Asset Management Program that will identify when major process equipment, buildings, collection pipes and structures should be replaced and strive to ensure the funding is in place such that borrowing is not required in the future. By 2020, this initiative will be fully implemented and will provide the detailed information required to ensure that the rate structure is fair and equitable for ratepayers while ensuring TransAqua is providing the highest value for money while remaining financially sustainable.

About TransAqua

TransAqua, the Greater Moncton Wastewater Commission (www.transaqua.ca) was established in 1983 to support the wastewater collection and treatment needs of the Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview tri-community. Since then, it has developed a 31-kilometre collection network and a treatment facility to best deliver on this mandate. It has also become a leader in the reuse of bio-solids through the generation of type ‘AA’ compost (the highest grade currently achieved in Canada) as opposed to disposal in a landfill site. The organization has positioned itself to upgrade its facilities to provide an enhanced secondary treatment approach that will allow it to meet the mandatory federal regulations prior to the 2020 deadline.

Media contact:

David Muir, CPA, CA
Chair
TransAqua / Greater Moncton Wastewater Commission
506-387-7977
dmuir@transaqua.ca
www.transaqua.ca