Vavenby Water Fees Set to Increase Significantly by 2028

Residents of Vavenby will face substantial increases in their community water system fees over the next three years, beginning on January 1, 2026. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) board of directors has approved a utility rates amendment bylaw that will raise user fees significantly. The average household in the Vavenby Community Water System can expect to pay approximately $961 in 2026, followed by $1,144 in 2027, and $1,362 in 2028. This marks a considerable rise from the $808 fee in 2025.

The fee increases represent an 18 percent jump from 2025 to 2026, followed by 19 percent increases in both 2027 and 2028. This is a far steeper rise than the previously approved annual increase of 4 percent set in 2024. The TNRD stated that these adjustments are necessary for the user fees to align more closely with those of other similarly-sized community water systems under their jurisdiction.

Funding Allocation for Sustainability

The additional revenue generated from these increases will be allocated towards operational costs, maintenance, and reserve contributions needed for future asset replacements. The TNRD has emphasized that operational funding for their utility systems must come directly from user fees, as funds are not interchangeable between services.

“Operational funding for TNRD utility systems can only be contributed by utility customers through user fees,” the TNRD explained. “For small utility systems, this funding model results in limited economies of scale for customers due to a limited tax base, which is a challenge faced by many public and private utility operators.”

In March 2024, the TNRD board sanctioned user fee increases across all eleven of its community water systems, with variations depending on each system’s financial status. While the earlier increases for the Vavenby Community Water System were more modest, staff have since recommended that additional funding be contributed annually to ensure the water system’s financial viability.

Future Considerations and Community Impact

The TNRD manages water systems that vary significantly in size, ranging from about 16 connections to 325 connections. All these systems were originally built within communities and later acquired by the TNRD at the request of local residents.

The district continues to advocate for financial support for smaller utility systems and actively pursues grant funding for ongoing capital projects and maintenance needs. As Vavenby residents prepare for these rising costs, the TNRD is focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of its water services while balancing financial requirements with community needs.

For those interested in the detailed fee schedule for various meter sizes within the Vavenby Community Water System, it is available in Schedule B-11 on page 5 of the December 11 Board Report.