- Stouffville’s 2025 water and wastewater operations have a proposed budget of $20.72 million.
- This is an increase of $514,360 over 2024 spending, amounting to 2.55% growth.
- To support the new budget, a 4.4% increase to the Town’s blended water and wastewater user fees has been proposed.
- More than 65% of the operating budget pertains to York Region’s supply of drinking water and collection of wastewater.
- York Region is expected to approve a 3.3% increase in wholesale water and wastewater rates in 2025.
- If approved, Stouffville’s new water and wastewater rates would take effect on April 1, 2025.
Stouffville’s water distribution systems include approximately 190 kilometres of watermains, 12,600 connections and metres, and nearly 1,400 hydrants, according to the 2025 Water and Wastewater Budget Book. The Town also owns and operates 112 kilometres of sewers.
The Public Works Division maintains Stouffville’s water and wastewater infrastructure, while the Water and Wastewater Division is responsible for operating the Town’s water distribution and stormwater management systems.
York Region serves as the wholesale provider of drinking water to lower-tier municipalities, which then distribute it to residents. The Region is also responsible for collecting and treating wastewater.
York Region has scheduled annual 3.3% wholesale rate increases through 2027, which will bring the rate from $3.39 to $3.50 per cubic metre in April 2025. Regional supply accounts for 67.6% of Stouffville’s 2025 budget, representing just over $14 million in annual costs.
Most of the new expenses proposed for 2025 operations are related to personnel, which would increase 25% to $2.62 million. Other growing line items include vehicle operations, utilities, and insurance. Stouffville’s drinking water operations represent 21.64% of the overall budget, with wastewater treatment expenses making up the remaining 10.76%.
To help address operating pressures and wholesale rate increases, the Town has proposed a nearly $1 million (26.76%) reduction in transfers to reserves. It also cut expected property maintenance forecasts by $383,000.
Stouffville’s three-year budget plan includes a return to reserve transfer growth, while personnel cost increases are expected to moderate through 2027.
“This budget represents our commitment to providing essential water and wastewater services, focusing on sustainability, compliance, and customer service,” the Budget Book concludes. “It is a strategic financial plan designed to meet the needs of our community while ensuring the long-term viability of our water and wastewater systems.”
The water and wastewater budget will progress through the budgetary process alongside the Town’s operating and capital budgets.
*Cover image courtesy of Bluewater Sweden on Unsplash