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Halifax Water applies for another rate hike

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Halifax Water has applied for another rate hike.

The utility says if approved, the average resident customer bill would increase by 8.4 per cent in April 2027, then again 8.2 per cent in 2028.

It means a monthly increase of about $7.68 next year and another $8.13 in 2028/29.

The proposal was submitted through the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.

“Halifax Water understands the impact rate increases have on customers, and we have worked to limit the increase wherever possible,” says GM and CEO Kenda MacKenzie in a statement.

“This application reflects a difficult balance: keeping services affordable while managing rising costs, meeting regulatory requirements and renewing critical infrastructure.”

MacKenzie says those investments are needed to keep services safe as our region grows.

The application follows a rate hike of 12 per cent in January then another 6 per cent in April.

It was in December when the utility asked for an increase of 35.6 per cent, but the Board said that would cause “rate shock” and shut it down.

Another request of 17.6 per cent was made but that was adjusted once more to 18.1.

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Halifax water billing portal remains down after privacy incident

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Halifax Water says their online billing portal that has been down for months, is going to stay that way after a privacy incident.

The utility says it affected 16 customers who use the Halifax Water Customer Connect.

An investigation revealed that a “vulnerability” in a third-party platform showed “unauthorized access” to customer information.

This includes:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Service or home address; account ID, customer ID and user ID
  • Security questions and answers

The utility says it was not a cybersecurity incident.

“We are taking the time needed to understand the circumstances fully, protect customers’ interests, and address the related contractual and insurance matters appropriately,” said Kenda MacKenzie, CEO, Halifax Water in a statement.

Halifax Water says it highlights a gap in their “internal process”, when the initial email about the incident was flagged as spam.

The utility says it remains committed to protecting customer information.

About 55,000 customers use the portal.