Politicians in the North Okanagan have made significant increases to local water rates.
The base rate for all water users in Vernon will jump 20%, from approximately $50 to $66 per year, at the end of April.
The rate includes ten cubic metres of water for free.
After that, customers will be charged on a sliding scale, with those using the most paying significantly higher fees than those who use less.
Officials say the increase is necessary to pay for new infrastructure, such as the new $20 million Duteau Creek water plant.
Rates could also soar even higher in the years ahead to help pay for a state-of-the-art filtration system, which is being mandated by the Interior Health Authority.
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