In the summer of 1994, the City of Vancouver offered a workshop on water conservation to industry. About 20 different industries were represented at the workshop. This newsletter is a follow-up to that workshop and an update of what your business can expect in terms of future water costs. The population of the Lower Mainland is quickly expanding and with an increased population new strains are put on the area's resources. In the past, our response to population growth was to expand services.
Expansion however is costly, both financially and environmentally.
Now, the City of Vancouver and other GVRD members support conservation and efficiency programs to reduce costs and environmental impacts. The price of water has increased rapidly over the last few years and will continue to do so. These rate hikes are due to increases in the bulk water rate, required to provide funding for upgrades in water treatment and supply. Changes to the rate structure also increased prices. What this means, to large users especially, is a hefty increase in the price of water.