The Public Utility Board approved new water rates for the Thompson utility earlier in January and last week the city passed the by-law to implement those rates. Mayor Tim Johnston remarked that "council is extremely pleased by the Public Utility Board's decision to approve rates that include the capital program. Infrastructure upgrades were the original intent of the utility and will contribute to the long term sustainability of our community." The rates will be in effect from 2012 to 2014 and will increase the annual household fee from around 476 dollars to about 687 dollars, or roughly 38 per cent. That's based on a usage of 250 cubic meters per year.
