Utility Rates Bylaw No. 2026-12 (water and sewer, 2026-2036) — full text, Marmora and Lake, Ontario

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot c42468959f0f · verified 2026-10-18 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MARMORA AND LAKE BYLAW NUMBER 2026-12 Being a bylaw to establish utility rates for water and sewer services related to the operation systems within the urban areas of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake. WHEREAS the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended, provides that the Council of a local municipality may by bylaw prescribe and charge rates for certain services; AND WHEREAS the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Marmara and Lake desires to establish water and/or sewage services rates that may be charged, by volume usage and/or flat rate usage and; AND WHEREAS the Council of the Municipality of Marmara and Lake deems it appropriate to establish rates tor water and sanitary services in the urban areas of the Municipality, including estimates for increased operating expenses and costs in suppor of an ongoing review of systems, plans and related legislation; AND WHEREAS the Council of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake deems it to be expedient and necessary to require the installation of water meters in order to establish water and/or sewage services rates by volume usage of water; AND WHEREAS the Municipality deems it necessary and desirable to control the consumption and use of water during certain times of the year; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake hereby enacts as follows: ## 1. DEFINITIONS - 1.1 "Building" means any building as defined by the Ontario Building Code and; - 1.1.1 Is connected to the water works or the sewage works of the Municipality; or - 1.1.2 Is required to be connected to the water works or the sewage works of the Municipality. - 1.2 "Cost" includes the cost of restoring any property disturbed or damaged in the course of making an installation, and the cost of design, materials, labour and supervision of the installation and includes the amount of expense charged by the Municipality to the owner when the Municipality makes an installation at the expense of the owner, - 1.3 "Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional User" means the applicant for a public utility, the owner or occupant of and the person to whom invoices are sent for a public utility supplied to any premises in which the public utility is supplied and is used directly or indirectly for in the carrying on of any business, trade, institution or commercial undertaking; - 1.4 "Council" means the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake; - 1.5 "Customer" means the owner or occupant of property which is serviced by, or connected to, and who uses a public utility supplied by the Municipality and includes a person who has entered into a contract for public utility services with the Municipality and who may or may not be connected to the public utility; - 1.6 "Disconnection" means turning off the water at the property line by the Municipality; - 1.7 "Environmental Services Manager" means the person appointed by Council to manage and superintend the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Environmental Services Department; - 1.8 "Install" means the connection of a meter in the service pipe and all attendant wires and other devices required in order to ascertain the volume of water entering the building and such installation shall be at any point in the service line as determined by the municipality. INSTALLATION shall have a corresponding meaning; - 1.9 "Meter" means the water meter supplied and owned by the Municipality to measure the quantity of water used by the owner and/or occupant of premises which is serviced by, connected to, and takes water from the Municipality's water works; - 1.10 "Municipality" means the Municipality of Marmora and Lake; - 1.11 "Owner" means the owner of a building and includes the registered owner of the property shown on the assessment roll as the owner of, and the actual owner of the building or any property on which a building is located; - 1.12 "Reconnection" means turning the water back on at the property line by the Municipality; - 1.13 "Sewer Works" includes any sewage main owned by or under the control and management of the Municipality for the purpose of supplying sewage treatment in the municipality; - 1.14 "Water Works" includes any water main owned by or under the control and management of the municipality for the purposes of supplying water in the municipality. ## 2. ADMINISTRATION - 2.1 The operation, servicing and administration of the water supply system, the water distribution system, the sewage collection system, and the sewage treatment system shall be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Services. - 2.2 The administration of waterworks and sewer works accounting, servicing and meter reading shall be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Services of the Municipality but may be delegated to such entities as Council from time to time may direct. - 2.3 It is the responsibility of the owner of a property to advise and prove to the Environmental Services Manager that the use of a property has changed and warrants a change in the fee structure applied to said property. ## 3. WATER AND SEWER RATES AND CHARGES - 3.1 Water supplied to premises in the Municipality, as indicated by the water meter, shall be charged for each respective property at the Consumption Charge rate and a Base Monthly Charge rate both as shown in Schedule 'A' to this bylaw. Sewer service charges for all premises in the Municipality connected to the sewage system shall be based on the total water charge, as indicated by the total water bill for each respective property and charged at the Sewer Discharge rate as shown in Schedule "A" of this bylaw, or at a Base Monthly Charge rate for non-metered customers in accordance with section 3.14. - 3.2 Where water is supplied to multiple units through a single meter, the fixed monthly charge shall be applied to each unit and be charged to the registered owner of the premises. - 3.3 Water meters may be read and accounts rendered monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly or on any other basis determined appropriate by the Municipality. The Municipality may serve bills upon the customer by delivery, or by mail, either at an address supplied by the customer, or by email at an email address supplied by the customer. - 3.4 When an account is not paid by the due date on the bill, a 1.25% late payment charge will be assessed to the account, and an overdue notice will be sent by mail, each month following a due date, reminding the customer of the outstanding account. At this time, a reminder notice of the unpaid account, including the 1.25% late payment charge, will be mailed. An interest charge of 1.25% will be applied to the outstanding balance each month until the account is fully paid. A utility arrears notice fee will also be applied to the account and will be delivered in accordance with section 3.3. The rates for arrears notice fees are shown in Schedule "A" of this bylaw. - 3.5 Fourteen (14) days after the overdue notice is mailed and, should the account remain unpaid, the Environmental Services Manager may deliver, or cause to be delivered, a Notice of Disconnection to the premises supplied or the address supplied by the customer, advising the customer that unless payment is received within 48 hours, service will be disconnected and that all unpaid amounts will be added to taxes and collected in like manner as taxes, as provided for under the Municipal Act. - 3.6 When it has been necessary for a Notice of Disconnection to be delivered, a collection charge shall be applied to the outstanding account for each notice delivered. The rates for collection charges are shown in Schedule "A" to this bylaw. - 3.7 If a customer omits, neglects, or refuses to pay any bill rendered, whether for water service pipes, service charges or any other monies to which the Municipality may be entitled in respect water services to such premises, the charges and amounts owing are a lien and charge upon the property and may be collected in like manner as taxes. Every owner of property, even though the owner is not the occupant of the property at the time a water rate charge becomes payable in respect of the property, is also liable to pay the rate until it is paid. - 3.7.1 In the case of tenancy, an owner is required to advise the Municipality of directing utility bills to the address of the tenant, and acknowledges that responsibility for non-payment rests with the owner of such property should the tenant fail to pay, in accordance with application legislation. - 3.7.2 The act of transferring delinquent utility charges to property tax accounts results in an administrative charge being applied in accordance with Schedule "A." - 3.8 Where is necessary to discontinue service as result of non-pay, a reconnection charge as shown in Schedule "A" of this bylaw will be levied against the delinquent account, in addition to the applicable collection charge. - 3.9 When the owner requests a temporary removal of the water meter from their premises, for any reason, the meter removal and reinstallation charge, as shown in Schedule "A" of this bylaw, will be applied to their account. - 3.10 The minimum base monthly charge for providing and maintaining water supply to any premises is payable in accordance with Schedule "A." - 3.11 If a meter fails to register for any reason, the consumer will be charged for average consumption for the pertinent period as determined by the Municipality on the basis of prior consumption records. - 3.12 Should a meter be mechanically defective, and where the Municipality installed said meter, the cost of such repairs shall be paid by the Municipality, but if the meter is damaged by the carelessness or neglect of any person other than an employee or agent of the Municipality, the owner of the premises shall pay to the Corporation the cost of making the necessary repair to such meter. These amounts will be applied to the applicable account. - 3.13 All first-time installations of a meter shall be paid by the Municipality. All additional meters will be charged at rates in Schedule "A" of this bylaw. - 3.14 Where installation of meters has been refused or where meters have been neglected by the property owner, the monthly water consumption charge shall be equivalent to two and one half times (2.5 times) the fixed-monthly rate for each service; water and sewer. - 3.15 Where a water meter with a remote read-out is installed in any premises, the owner of the premises shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the remote read-out and wire connecting it to the meter within the premise from any injury. Where any such remote read-out or its connecting wire has been injured or interfered with, the owner shall be liable for the cost of putting the same in proper order and condition and the cost of so shall be immediately due and payable to the Municipality. These amounts will be applied to the applicable account. - 3.16 A customer may, upon written application to the Municipality, have the water meter at his or her premises tested for accuracy of registration. Every such application shall be accompanied by a deposit of the fee for testing water meters set out in Schedule "A" of this bylaw. All water meters shall be tested in accordance with American Water Works Association Standards and Procedures. If when tested, the meter is found to operate outside of applicable specifications, the Environmental Services Manager will estimate the applicable flow volume underage or excess and a refund or bill will be made to the customer as applicable. The time frame used for calculation of the estimate shall be limited to the four (4) month period prior to testing. If the testing determines that the meter reads in excess of the actual flow volume, the customer's deposit for the test shall be refunded. - 3.17 No person shall operate a curb stop unless that person has received permission of the Environmental Services Manager to do so. Unless otherwise authorized, only water works personnel shall operate a curb stop. A fee shall be paid by every person requesting a water service shut off and turn on, as described in Schedule "A." ## 4. SERVICE CONNECTION FEE - 4.1 Any new services connections will be completed on a time and material basis. The owner will be required to pay a deposit of $2,500 (for each water and sewer service). When the service connection is completed, the municipality will sum all costs related to the connection and either bill the owner for costs greater than the deposit or refund the owner if the actual cost is less than the $2,500 deposit. ## 5. WATER SERVICE INSTALLATION - 5.1 All costs incurred for service from the lot line to the residence will be the sole responsibility of the property owner and will be installed to current building code requirements. - 5.2 Cost incurred for any extension of existing water mains or service lines to the property line, and for restoration of the Municipality right-of-way will be payable by the property owner on a time and material basis. ## 6. CONNECTIONS - 6.1 Every building that has water and sewage lines available to them but are not yet connected shall connect to services in an agreed upon date with the Environmental Services Manager or will be billed the fixed monthly rate applicable to them, except for vacant land, as shown in Schedule "A." All work to make or incidental to such connections including maintenance and repair shall be done at the owner's expense. - 6.2 The owners of multiple unit buildings, multiple store/multiple family buildings or the owners of existing detached dwellings serviced by one connection to the common water and sewer shall be jointly responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the connections. - 6.3 No building shall be erected or built over a water or sewer connection. - 6.4 The Environmental Services Manager, or any person authorized by him/her for the purposes, must at all reasonable hours, upon presentation of satisfactory identification, be given free access to all parts of every building to which water is supplied, for the purpose of inspection and examination of meter, fixtures and pipes of every kind in connection with the supply of water to, or the use of water, on such premises. - 6.5 Any property owner wishing to turn off the water (disconnection) or turn the water back on (reconnection) must give notice to the Environmental Services Manager and pay the required fee as set out in Schedule "A." Notice of 48 hours would be preferred, unless it is an emergency situation. ## 7. REPAIRS OF WATER AND SEWER LINES - 7.1 The Municipality shall not be responsible for the costs of removing blockages in sewer lines on private property provided however that if the blockage is caused or arises by actions of the Municipality or trees on Municipal property, at the discretion of the Environmental Services Department, the Municipality may bear the cost of removing the blockage as in its discretion it determines. - 7.2 The Municipality is not responsible for frozen water lines or the cost of thawing or repairing frozen water lines on private property. - 7.3 All sums charged for water supplied, or for expenses incurred for the repair of private water services, meters, fixtures and all appliances connected with the water services or for damaged to the same shall be charged to the owner of the premises. - 7.4 In case of making emergency repairs in connection with the water works system, the Environmental Services Manager may shut off the water from any consumer without notice, and keep it shut off as long as may be necessary and the Municipality shall not be liable for any damage resulting there from. Notwithstanding the above, it is current practice of the Environmental Services Department to make a reasonable attempt to advise consumers prior to shutting off any water service. When so requested in an emergency situation by the Environmental Services Manager or his/her designate, every water consumer shall limit or discontinue the use of water as requested. ## 8. SEPTAGE - 8.1 All persons discharging septage into the Municipal sewage treatment plant shall be licensed by the Municipality and must only discharge sewage from areas approved by the Municipality. - 8.2 All septage must be discharged under the supervision of a Municipal employee or the Municipality contracted operator, who has the authority to require sampling at their discretion and all quantities discharged and tests required shall be documented. - 8.3 The cost for discharging septage shall be $100.00 per system pumped (maximum 2,000 gallons). ## 9. CROSS CONNECTION AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION - 9.1 No consumer or person shall connect, cause to be connected or allow to remain connected, any piping, fixture, fitting, container or appliance in a manner which under any circumstances may allow water, waste water or any other liquid, chemical or foreign substance to enter the Water System. - 9.2 If a condition which contravenes this section is found to exist, the Municipality may in its discretion: - 9.2.1 Discontinue water service to the consumer; or - 9.2.2 Give notice to the consumer to correct the fault within a time period stated in the notice, and discontinued water service upon any failure of the consumer to comply within such time period. - 9.3 The detection of any fault by the Municipality shall be corrected by the consumer by means of the disconnection of the offending piping, fixture, fitting, container or appliance or by means of the installation of a cross connection control device expressly approved by the Municipality for such purpose, if any. - 9.4 Where the Municipality determines that a severe hazard exists which, in the opinion of the Municipality creates a high risk of contamination of the Water System, the consumer shall upon receipt of a notice from the Municipality, install at the water service connection to the premises an approved cross connection control device in addition to a cross connection control device at the immediate location of the potential backflow within the consumer's water system. - 9.5 It is recommended that cross connection control devices are tested by a competent person upon installation and thereafter on an annual basis, to demonstrate that the device is in good working order. ## 10. WATER CONSERVATION - 10.1 No person who being an owner, tenant, occupant, servant, agent or employee of any house dwelling unit, building, or other place or structure, supplied from the municipal water system may water or sprinkle by hose, pipe or other connection, lawns, gardens, grass, plots, boulevards or grounds of any description between the 15th day of May each year and the last day of September of the same year; save and except as hereinafter provided. Each person, who being an owner, tenant, occupant, servant, agent or employee of any house, dwelling unit, building, or other place or structure, supplied from the municipal water system may water or sprinkle by hose, pipe or other connection, lawns, gardens, grass, plots, boulevards or grounds of any description between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on the days listed below: North of Highway #7 (including North Side of #7) South/East side of Deloro Road/O'Brien St. Monday, Wednesday, Friday South of Highway #7 (including South Side of #7) North /West side of Deloro Road/O'Brien St. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday NOTE: Exemptions from restrictions for new sodding and new grass seeding may be given at the discretion of the Environmental Services Manager. ## 11. FIRE HYDRANTS AND FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS - 11.1 The use of fire hydrants or other fire protection systems for purposes other than fire related services is prohibited unless authorized by the Municipality of Marmora and Lake Environmental Services Department. - 11.2 The Municipality of Marmora and Lake may authorize the use of fire hydrants by private individuals or contractors, subject to the following conditions: - 11.2.1 Operators are trained in the proper operation of hydrants, and - 11.2.2 Operators appropriate hydrant connection units when withdrawing water from a hydrant. The units shall be a backflow meter/meter assembly unit or a meter assembly unit with an approved air gap. - 11.3 All fire hydrants located within the Municipality of Marmora and Lake must be painted and colour coded to meet OFC (Ontario Fire Code) standards. - 11.4 Any usage of a hydrant must be recorded with date, time, location, colour code and quantity used. - 11.5 No person shall tamper with, cover or screen from view a fire hydrant by any structure or vegetation of any other means. ## 12. ENFORCEMENT - 12.1 Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the bylaw is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $500.00 (exclusive of costs) or may be imprisoned without the option of a fine for a term of not more than one month for each offence. Each day in which any such contravention occurs shall be deemed to be a separate offence. Such penalties shall be recoverable under the provisions of The Summary Convictions Act. - 12.2 Notwithstanding all other provisions of this bylaw in respect to penalties, for violations of the provisions this section, any person, may upon presentation of a notice of offence, at the office listed on the tag, issued alleging commission of any offence provided in the said section, pay out of Court within five (5) days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays) from the date of the said tag, the penalty of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) for such offence at the office listed on the tag, and upon such payment no further proceedings shall be taken under this bylaw in respect of the said offence alleged in the tag. The receipt for payment signed by the person assigned to the duty of receiving payments shall be evidence of payment of the penalty provided for the violation. Provisions of this section shall only apply to a first offence under this bylaw and shall not be available for subsequent violations. ## 13. GENERAL - 13.1 THAT 2024-2027 Utility Rates Bylaw 2024-05 is hereby repealed. 13.2 THAT this bylaw shall come into force and take effect upon passing. READ A FIRST TIME this 17" day of February, 2026 READ A SECOND TIME 17 day of February, 2026 READ A THIRD TIME this 17th day of February, 2026 PASSED IN OPEN COUNCIL this 17™ day of February, 2026  anet C.Onell Mayor (Jan O'Neill) Kristen Mclamell Municipal Clerk (Kristen M°Connell)  ## MUNICIPALITY OF MARMORA AND LAKE UTILITY (WATER AND SEWER) RATES ## SCHEDULE "A" OF BYLAW 2026-12 The monthly water rates shall be as follows: | Water Users | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | Rate Forecast | |----------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| | Water Users | 2025 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 | 2033 | | 2034 | 2035 | 2036 | | Fixed Monthly | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Charge Per Equivalent Residential Unit | | 35.00 S | 40.04 $ | 43.04 $ | | | | | | | 46.27 $ 49.74 $ 53.47 $ 57.48 $ 6179 $ 66.42 $ 71.40 $ | | | | 76.7E $ 82.52 | | insumption Charg harge Per Cubic Metr | $ | 243 | 2.78 S | 2.99 $ | | | 3.21 $ 3.45 $ | 3.71 S | 3.99 $ | 4.29 $ | 4.61 $ | | 4.96 $ | 5.33 $ | 5.73 | | Residential Users | | 35.00 | 40.04 | $ 43.04 | | 46.27 $ | 49,74 | 53.47 $ | 57.48 | 61.79 | $ 66.42 | | 71,40 $ | 76.76 $ | 82.52 | | Commercial Users | $ | 41.50 | 47.48 | $ 51.04 | $ | 54.87 $ | 58.99 | 63.41 | $ 68.17 | 73.28 | $ 78.78 | 84.69 | $ | 91.04 | $ 97.87 | | Residential/Commercial Users | | 45.60 | 52.17 $ | 56.08 | $ | 60.29 $ | 64.81 | 69.67 | $ 74.90 | 80.52 | 86.56 | 93.05 | $ | 100.03 $ | 107.53 | | Senior Apartments - Mathew Place | $ | 1,624.50 $ | 1,858.43 | $ 1,997.81 | | | $ 2,147.65 $ 2,308.72 | $ 2,481.87 $ 2,668.01 | | $ 2,868.11 | $ 3,083.22 | 3,314.46 | $ | 3.563.04 $ | 3,830.27 | | Senior Apartments - Or. Parkin | | 1,146.70 | 1,311.82 | $ 1,410.21 | $ 1,515.98 | | $ 1,529.68 | | $ 1751.91 $ 1,883.30 | $ 2,024.55 $ 2,176.39 | | 2.339.62 | | $ 2.515.09 $ | 2,703.72 | | Restaurants/Garage/Carwash/Laundroma | $ | 73.30 $ | 83.86 | $ 90.15 | $ | 96.91 $ | 104.18 | 111.99 | $ 120.39 | 129.42 | $ 139.13 | $ 149.56 | $ | 160.78 | 172.84 | | B&B | | 45.60 $ | 52.17 | $ 55.08 | | 60.29 | 64.81 | $ 69.67 | 74.90 | 80.52 $ | 86.56 | $ 93.05 | $ | 100.03 $ | 107.53 | | Nursing Home | $ | 2,171.80 $ | 2.484.54 | $ 2,670.88 | | 2,871.20 | 3.086.54 | $ 3,318.03 | $ 3,566.88 | $ 3,834,40 $ 4,121.98 | | | 4,431.13 | $ 4.763,46 $ | 5.120.72 | | Marmora Public School | | 382.69 | 437.69 | 470.52 | | 505.81 $ | 543.75 | 584.53 | $ €28.37 | $ 675.50 $ | 726.16 | 780.62 | | 839.17 | 902.11 | | Sacred Heart School | | 382.60 | 437.69 $ | 470.52 | $ | 505.81 $ | 543.75 | $ 584.53 | $ 628.37 | 675.50 $ | 726.16 | $ 780.62 | $ | 839.17 | 902.11 | | Legion | | 136.90 $ | 156.61 | $ 168.36 | $ | 180.99 | 194.56 | 209.15 | $ 224.84 | $ 241.70 $ | 259.83 | $ 279.32 | $ | 300.27 | $ 322.79 | | Campground | | 136.90 $ | 156.61 $ | 168.36 | $ | 180.99 | 194.56 | | 209.15 $ 224.84 $ | 241.70 | $ 259.83 | | 279.32 | 300.27 | 322.79 | | Ontario Clean Water Agency | | 136.90 $ | 156.61 $ | 168.36 | $ | 180.99 | 194.56 $ | | 209.15 $ 224.84 $ | 241.70 $ | 259.83 | $ | 279.32 5 | 300.27 $ | 322.79 | | * Increase | | | 14.4% | 7.5% | | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | The monthly sewer rates for metered customers shall be a surcharge of the total water bill at a rate of 100%. | Hand-delivered notice of disconnection | $35.00 fee each | |------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Disconnection fee | $50.00 | | Reconnection fee | $50.00 | | Arrears Notice (overdue) fee | $5.00 | ## Water Distribution Services and Sanitary Sewage Collection Services - New Water or Sanitary Service installation $2,500.00 minimum each - Final costs will be established by and billed upon completion of the work - Time and material - Excavation or boring costs - Gravel restoration - Actual rock excavation costs - Actual paving costs - -Actual curb and/or sidewalk restoration and ditch/lawn restoration | Replacement of frozen/damaged meter and new installation | At Cost | |---------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Curb Box repairs, raising, lowering for driveway paving etc. | $100.00 | | Connect /Reconnect | | | - Turn water off/on at curb regular hours | $50.00 each trip | | - Turn water off/on at curb overtime hours | $150.00 each trip | | Reconnection after cut-off for non-payment | $50.00 | | Finalizing account | | | - Final read (charged to old customer) | $50.00 | | - New account initiation (charged to new customer) | $50.00 | | Water meter accuracy check, at Customer's Request (up to 1"') | $150.00 | | NSF and Dishonoured/Returned Payments | $50.00 | These rates are the minimum rates for a 2-hour service call. All additional time, beyond 2 hours, will be charged at $50.00 per hour per staff member and includes all vehicles and equipment. Miscellaneous Services will be charged at $50.00 per hour.