Norfolk County Council is set to review a proposal Tuesday that could reshape how residents are charged for water, wastewater, and—for the first time—stormwater services.
County staff are recommending a series of rate studies to assess the long-term financial needs of these essential services and ensure rates are fair, effective, and sustainable.
The studies would be conducted by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., a consultant with extensive experience in municipal infrastructure funding.
Currently, Norfolk’s water and wastewater operations are fully funded through user fees, consumption-based charges, and surcharges based on meter size.
Stormwater management, by contrast, is paid through the tax levy.
With urban stormwater programs expanding, staff are seeking guidance on how to create a user-pay model similar to water and wastewater.
The goal is to recover costs more equitably while meeting regulatory standards, maintaining infrastructure, and planning for future growth.
The proposed studies will examine rate structures, fixed and variable charges, bulk water rates, standby charges, construction period rates, and fire protection fees.
Additionally, they will analyze leachate treatment, septic waste disposal, and over-strength charges. For stormwater, the review will consider a 10-year operating plan, evaluate various funding models used by other municipalities, and propose a rate structure that reflects land use, infrastructure needs, and environmental protection goals.
Watson & Associates have previously worked with Norfolk on growth studies and development charges, and staff believe hiring them again will offer cost and efficiency benefits.
Council will decide whether to move forward with the single-source contract during Tuesday’s meeting, potentially laying the groundwork for more balanced and transparent infrastructure funding in Norfolk County.