Squamish residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets in 2025 as the District plans to increase utility fees for all services. The proposed changes include higher rates for solid waste collection, water, and wastewater services, along with landfill tipping fees, as outlined in a recent staff report to the council. The council will discuss the proposed changes today.
The proposed amendments, intended to support infrastructure upgrades and accommodate the community’s growth, are as follows:
Solid Waste Collection Rates: Up by 5.2%
Solid Waste Landfill Tipping Fees: Increases range from 5% to 25%, including tire fees rising from $12 to $15 and the minimum landfill fee increasing from $8 to $10.
Water Utility Rates and Fees: Up by 1.8%
Wastewater Utility Rates and Fees: Up by 5.7%
Residential curbside collection fees will rise to cover the costs of collecting, handling, and disposing of waste and the higher tipping fees at the organic processing facility. For 2025, solid waste collection rates will grow by 5.2%. A pilot program is also proposed to address households generating large amounts of organic waste or recyclables. Participating residents could opt for an extra organics tote for an annual fee of $150 plus an exchange fee.
At the Squamish Landfill, tipping fees will rise to reflect debt servicing for the Landfill Vertical Expansion and the increased costs of managing recyclable materials. The district also plans to introduce new tipping fees for items like ammonia-containing appliances, commercial organics, and large amounts of glass. According to a staff report by the District, the rate hikes are part of the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain sustainable funding for utility systems, which require upgrades to aging infrastructure, expansions to accommodate growth, and contributions to capital reserves. The proposed budget and amendments were presented at a Special Business Meeting on October 22, 2024, for the council’s review.
District staff emphasized that the increases are necessary to support growth and ensure the long-term viability of Squamish’s utility systems.
