Thirteen individuals and the City of White Rock have asked for intervenor status regarding Epcor's application to carry out nearly $12 million in upgrades to the city's water system.
Interested parties had until last Friday (Jan. 25) to register as intervenors with the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights.
Rick Couroux, secretary to the Comptroller of Water Rights, said by email that intervenors have until tomorrow (Feb. 1) to ask Epcor for additional information about the application.
The steps are all part of a written hearing process that began with notice to Epcor customers, Couroux said. A decision is expected in early to mid-April.
Customers were advised in December that the utility is seeking approval for a project that will increase chlorination of the city's water, upgrade infrastructure and boost storage and pumping capacity.
Approval would require decisions that the project is in the public interest, and that recovery of costs through water rates is justified.
In a presentation to council Jan. 14, Epcor representatives shared figures that show the proposed rates mean a customer currently paying $20.55 per month will see their bill climb to $37.03 in 2017 with the rate boost (compared to $24.04 without).
At an open house on the project held Jan. 17, Epcor spokesman Tim le Riche said chlorination is the one aspect of the project that won't be impacted by comments. It was ordered by Fraser Health as a result of contamination in 2010 that triggered a boil-water advisory.