Quarterly Newsletter – January 2025
Four times a year the City of Castlegar publishes a newsletter that is distributed to all homes with our quarterly utility bills. Here’s what to know in Castlegar this quarter.
2025 Utility Rate Changes
To keep our water and sewer systems running smoothly and plan for future upgrades, the City is updating utility rates for 2025. These changes are guided by the Municipal Price Index (MPI), which measures inflation specific to municipal costs like construction and labour. Using the MPI helps the City plan responsibly, cover current costs, and prepare for future infrastructure needs.
- Residential Water Rates will increase from $34.99 to $36.95 per month. The rate for water consumption over 30 cubic meters will increase from $0.79 to $0.84 per cubic meter.
- Residential Sewer Rates will increase from $28.94 to $32.00 per month. The consumption rate for sewer will increase from $0.46 to $0.51 per cubic meter. These rates are effective January 1, 2025, and will appear on your next bill.
2025 Curbside Collection Rates
The 2025 Curbside Collection Rates will be updated following a recent decision by Council to close the yard waste facility located at 2101 6th Ave.
In 2023, when the new Curbside Organics Collection Program was introduced, Council was presented with options regarding the operation of the yard waste facility and directed staff to keep the facility open for an additional year to allow time to evaluate its use and operational impacts alongside the weekly curbside collection of organics and yard waste. After review and discussion about the success of the curbside collection program, Council decided to close the facility to streamline services and manage costs.
Closing the yard waste facility is expected to bring cost savings and free up staff and equipment time for other essential City services. New Curbside Collection Rates will depend on the closure date and be reflected on a future quarterly utility bill.
Winter Wonderland
Thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for a successful Winter Wonderland celebration! We couldn’t have done it without you!
- A&W
- Castlegar Rotary Club
- Castlegar Sunrise Rotary
- Castlegar Rotary Interact Club
- Columbia Basin Trust
- Columbia Power Corporation
- Dirty Diggers
- Kalesnikoff Lumber
- Kootenay Charters
- Kootenay Market
- Kootenay Savings
- McDonald’s
- Mercer Celgar
- No Frills
- Pharmasave
- Safeway
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- StellarVista
Credit Union - Superior Propane
- Trowelex Rentals & Sales
Thank you to our table sponsors and crafters for bringing the event to life:
- Castlegar & District Public Library
- Castlegar Arts Council Circle of Indigenous Nations
- Society City of Castlegar Communities in Bloom
- eXp Realty
- Fish Pond by Rotary
- Francophone Group
- Heaton-Sherstobitoff Family
- Kalesnikoff Lumber
- West Kootenay Regional Airport
Thank you to our Merry & Bright holiday display contest sponsors:
- FortisBC
- Mercer Celgar
Communications