Owners of land outside town boundaries that use irrigation water on large parcels of land will pay more in 2013 – if such water is not used for agriculture.

The Town of Oliver water utility is set to close a loop hole in its water rates bylaw that affects about 143 parcels of land in the rural area. Such properties – those that have twinned service will be invoiced for water based on a pro-ratio/acreage system. Some owners could pay up to $350 more than previously.

In the past only owners of properties more than 1/2 acre paid an extra fee beyond a parcel tax of $116.60.

Council agreed with staff that there should be equity between non-farm land in town and out of town – on the subject of irrigation water use.

Both water councillors, Andre Miller and Rick Machial voted against the move. The matter will come up later in the budget process when a new water rates bylaw for 2013 will be presented for discussion. Councillor Machial stated that staff should determine the cost of such water being delivered to non-farm properties before making a decision on new rates.

A rather complex report was presented to council on Tuesday with a lot of discussion back and forth on the subject. Parcels in and out of town are charged a parcel tax that is the same but on consumption – it is different with a loss of $58,000 in revenue. That report states that 280 parcels are involved but about half  – have a single water service (mainly residential subdivisions) and will not be affected.