City explores way to bring down utility rates for new wastewater treatment plant

With the City of Lethbridge facing a projected $285 million in upgrades to its Wastewater Treatment Plant, it’s looking at any and all funding options. 

Mayor Blaine Hyggen said that includes meetings with both provincial and federal ministers on ways that could avoid a major spike in utility rates.

“I know folks have said, why didn’t you do this sooner. It’s done at a level that we thought was sustainable, but we’ve grown much quicker than we thought (we would) as well as we’ve had industry move into town that use a a lot of that infrastructure.” 

Under the current plan, the City is looking at borrowing $261 million with remaining $24 million to come from reserves.