Creston sits in 3rd place when it comes to having the lowest utility rates for water and waste in the region despite having expensive water and waste systems.
According to a report done by the Town of Creston, the average utility rate per annum is for a single residential dwelling is roughly $763.00 compared to Cranbrook’s $687.00 and Nelson’s staggering $1111.00.
It is important to note that the brand new Arrow Creek water commision system costs just over $700,000.00 a year to operate due to its intricacies and several kilometres of distribution and transmission lines.
Creston also has to deal with special waste due to the Columbia Brewery. Director of Municipal Services Ross Beddoes says both the town and the brewery parter-up to deal with the extra cost.
“The influent received from them is very different than a from a regular municipal system.” Beddoes explains, “We have to pre-treat that. We have what you call a bulk volume fermentor or a BVF and of course, it’s very expensive to operate. Now the brewery has been a great partner all along and contributes very significant financial contributions to the system.”
Beddoes says even though Creston has such low rates, the town has just under $2.5 million in water reserves and just over $3.6 million in sewer reserves for the purpose of impeding upgrades.