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Docket: UW46309
Order: UW16-01

IN THE MATTER of an application by the Cavendish Sewer Utility for approval to increase annual sewer rates and charges.

BEFORE THE COMMISSION

on Wednesday, the 10th day of February, 2016.

J. Scott MacKenzie, Q.C., Chair
M. Douglas Clow, Vice-Chair
John Broderick, Commissioner

Order

WHEREAS the Cavendish Sewer Utility (the "Utility" or "Cavendish") filed an application with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (the "Commission") for approval to increase annual sewer rates and charges, effective January 1, 2016;

AND WHEREAS upon receipt of the filing, the Commission posted details of the application on its website and published a notice in the local newspaper inviting written comments on Cavendish's proposal;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received two written submissions in response to the Notice, as well as questions and comments from a local homeowners' association, represented as Seawood Estates Association Limited ("SEAL");

AND WHEREAS the the Commission has considered the comments received, including SEAL's correspondence, as well as the Utility's replies in answer to each respondent;

AND WHEREAS the Commission, following a review of the application and the Utility's financial statements, has concluded that higher than expected costs related to plant repairs and maintenance, and certified plant operator fees, combined with projected debt servicing expenses for plant improvements, have resulted in the need for additional revenue;

AND WHEREAS it appears to the Commission that the Tariff of Rates and Charges approved herein is necessary and equitable;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission Act and the Water and Sewerage Act;

IT IS ORDERED THAT

1. The existing Tariff for sewer services of the Cavendish Sewer Utility is revoked and the Tariff appended to, and forming part of, this Order, are substituted therefor; and

2.  The appended Tariff is approved and declared effective on January 1, 2016 and shall remain in effect until otherwise ordered by the Commission.

DATED at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, this 10th day of February, 2016.

BY THE COMMISSION:

J. Scott MacKenzie, Q.C., Chair

M. Douglas Clow, Vice-Chair

John Broderick, Commissioner

NOTICE

Section 12 of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission Act reads as follows:

12. The Commission may, in its absolute discretion, review, rescind or vary any order or decision made by it or rehear any application before deciding it.

Parties to this proceeding seeking a review of the Commission's decision or order in this matter may do so by filing with the Commission, at the earliest date, a written Request for Review, which clearly states the reasons for the review and the nature of the relief sought.

Sections 13.(1), 13(2) 13(3) and 13(4) of the Act provide as follows:

13.(1)  An appeal lies from a decision or order of the Commission to the Court of Appeal upon a question of law or jurisdiction.

(2) The appeal shall be made by filing a notice of appeal in the Court of Appeal within twenty days after the decision or order appealed from and the rules of court respecting appeals apply with the necessary changes.

(3) The Commission shall be deemed to be a party to the appeal. 

(4) No costs shall be payable by any party to an appeal under this section unless the Court of Appeal, in its discretion, for special reasons, so orders.

 

Approved:   Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission
Effective:    January 1, 2016
Order Authorizing Tariff: IRAC/UW46309/UW16-01

 

 

 

 

Cavendish Sewer Utility

SEWER TARIFF
 

THIS TARIFF SPECIFIES THE RATES AND CHARGES APPLICABLE
TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE
CAVENDISH SEWER UTILITY

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TYPES
OF SERVICES AND MANNER IN WHICH SUCH
SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ARE CONTAINED IN THE
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND MUNICIPAL WATER & SEWERAGE UTILITIES
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2016

 

Sewer Rates and Charges

Application:

The following rates and charges apply to sanitary sewerage services provided to premises served or capable of being served by the Cavendish Sewer Utility.

Flat Rates: (Unmetered)

For each single-family dwelling or unmetered customer assessed one proportionate swerage unit: $456.00.

Metered Service:

For each metered customer the sum of:

  1. a customer charge of $281.00;

  2. a demand charge of $133.00 per proportionate demand unit calculated in accordance with the Proportionate Demand Changes contained on page 3 of this tariff; and

  3. a flow charge of $0.45 per cubic meter.

The metered flow shall be determined by metering the well water consumed.

Minimum Bill:

The mimimum bill to any customer shall be the applicable customer and demand charges.

Frontage Charge:

A frontage charge of $1.60 per lineal foot per annum applies to all land adjacent to streets, roads or highways on which there are no buildings or structures or where sanitary disposal service is not required but which land is capable of being served by the existing facilities of the Utility. In the case of premises billed under the Proportionate Demand Charges, an exemption of ten (10) feet frontage for each one-tenth of a unit will be allowed. In the case of corner lots with sewerage facilities on both sides, the frontage charge applies to the full frontage on the longest side, and the full frontage less one hundred (100) feet on the other side (less allowable exemption, if any).

The maximum bill to any customer for frontage shall be $500.00. 

Tarrif Exemptions:

  1. Existing single-family residential dwellings which are in excess of 100 metres from the sanitary sewer main shall be exempt from the applicable demand and flow charges.

  2. Non-leased farm land used exclusively for farming purposes shall be exempt from all applicable rates and charges.

  3. The property known as the Cavendish Cemetery shall be exempt from all appliable rates and charges.

Special Charges

Sewage Dumping Charges:

The Utility may, at its discretion and subject to such terms and conditions as it considers necessary and advisable, permit an individual or corporation to dump sanitary sewage at the Utility's treatment facilities. Where such dumping is permitted, a sanitary sewage waste hauling contractor duly licensed pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act Sewage Disposal Regulations and acceptable to the Utility must be employed by the individual or corporation at such rates and charges as the individual or corporation and the contractor may agree upon.

The dumping charges to the contractor are as follows:

For premises within the Community of Cavendish:

Per load: up to 1,500 gallons                    $ 8.00
Per load: 1,501 gallons - 3,000 gallons     $16.00

For premises outside the Community of Cavendish:

Per load: up to 1,500 gallons                    $13.00
Per load: 1,501 gallons - 3,000 gallons      $26.00

Seawood Estates Infrastructure Contribution Charge:

In addition to the applicable charges set out in this tariff, all sewer customers in the Seawood Estates subdivision who are served or capable of being served will be subject to a supplemental charge of $175.00 per lot, per year.

The contribution charge will be subject to IRAC review and amendment from time to time as necessary and will remain in effect until such time as the related Seawood infrastructure debt has been serviced.

Proportionate Sewer Charges
 

TYPE OF CUSTOMER

 UNIT VALUE ANNUAL SEWER CHARGE  

TYPE OF CUSTOMER

 UNIT VALUE ANNUAL SEWER CHARGE
             

SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING

 1.00 $133.00   DOCTORS' & DENTISTS' OFFICES AND BEAUTY & BARBER SHOPS
     With Separate Service		    
  1.00 $133.00
INDIVIDUAL APARTMENT 0.80 $106.40        Combined With Other Service 0.50 $ 66.50
MOBILE HOME 0.70 $ 93.10   LAUNDROMAT WITH MACHINES USING OVER 30 GALLONS PER WASH
     For First Machine		    
3.00 $399.00
SENIOR CITIZENS HOME, Per Unit 0.60  79.80        For Second Machine 2.00 $266.00
             For Each Additional Machine 1.00 $133.00
CONVENT, INSTITUTIONAL DORMITORY, ROOMING OR BOARDING HOUSE
     For Up to Five Persons     		           
1.00 $133.00 LAUNDROMAT WITH MACHINES USING 30 OR FEWER GALLONS PER WASH
     For First Machine		  
     For Each Additional Person 0.20 $26.60   2.00 $266.00
             For Second Machine 1.50 $199.50
MOTELS AND TOURIST COTTAGES
     With Housekeeping Facilities,
     Each Unit		            For Each Additional Machine 0.75 $ 99.75
0.50 $ 66.50        
     With Bathroom Facilities Only,
     Each Unit		       SERVICE STATION
     Without Carwash		 1.00 $133.00
0.30 $ 39.90        With Carwash 2.00 $266.00
              
TOURIST HOME
     For First Bathroom		 1.00 $133.00   RESTAURANTS AND SNACK BARS 1.00 $133.00
     For Each Additional Bathroom or
     Washroom		 0.30 $ 39.90        For Each Ten Seats, an Additional
     Amount of		 0.25 $ 33.25
             
HOSPITAL
     Without Laundry Facilities,
     Per Bed		       PREMISES LICENSED BY THE P.E.I.
LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION:
     Restaurant, Lounge, Dining
     Room or Club		    
0.50 $ 66.50      
     With Laundry Facilities,
     Per Bed		 0.75 $ 99.75   1.00 $133.00
             SEAT CHARGE:  Calculate 75% of
     Fire Marshal's rating OR
     the actual seat count,
     then charge, for each five
     seats, an additional amount of		    
SCHOOLS, Per Classroom 1.00 $133.00   0.25 $ 33.25
              
STORES, BANKS, CLUBS, CHURCHES, HALLS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PLACES OF BUSINESS
     For First Washroom Facility		   DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT OR THEATRE
     With Canteen		 1.00 $133.00
           For First Washroom and Toilet
     Facility		 1.00 $133.00
1.00 $133.00  

     For Each Additional Washroom
     and Toilet Facility

 0.50 $ 66.50
     For Each Additional Toilet or Urinal 0.50 $ 66.50  

   

   
             
CAMPGROUNDS, Per Campsite 0.10 $ 13.30