Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (May 29/98) - Hefty water users may be in store for a rebate.

Once Inuvik residents use 37,500 litres of water during June, July and August, they could get a 50 per cent rebate on further water consumption if on July 8, the Inuvik Utilities Planning Commission approves a recommendation Inuvik council passed at a committee of the whole meeting May 24.

Residents currently pay the private or residential rate of $.0033 per litre up to a cap of 37,500 litres when the rate shifts to a commercial one: $.0055 per litre.

"We haven't really decided on what structure it's going to be," said counsellor and Inuvik Utilities Commission chair Don Craik May 25.

"We may just not charge for the over-and-above or it may be a half of a rebate or what have you."

Though Inuvik council passed a motion to recommend the over-the-cap 50 per cent rebate to the IUPC, Craik stressed final say rests with the IUPC.

Council voted to raise the commercial rate from $.0044 per litre to $.0055 per litre at a council meeting Jan. 28, with the increase taking effect April 1.

"When we redid the water rates we suggested that there be some sort of rebate or incentive for people to plant their lawns and wash their vehicles because we have no shortage of water ... for the summer months," Craik said.

"We neglected, when we restructured the rates, to include that in there."