Markham Council has approved a new water/wastewater rate as of April 1, 2010.

The rate will be $2.2129 per cubic metre, up 0.2087 cents per cubic metre from 2009.

It is necessary for the Town of Markham to increase its retail water/wastewater rate to recover the increased cost of water and wastewater treatment from the Region of York.

The Town's share of the total retail water/wastewater bill is also used to fund water operations and water quality testing, fund waterworks capital repair and replacement projects and to maintain reserves for future water system and service replacement.

Additionally, the increases are necessary for the Town to keep pace with the rate of inflation, to maintain service levels and to accommodate new provincial legislation that deals with safe drinking water, and to set aside funding for future replacement of the Town of Markham's aging water and sewer systems.

Water and wastewater charges for all properties are included on the standard hydro two-month billing cycle.

For billing questions, call PowerStream at 1-877-963-6900 between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For further information, contact Treasurer Joel Lustig at 905-477-7000 ext. 4715.