Belleville approves water bill rebate program for low income seniors and persons with disabilities

Published Apr 13, 2026, edited Apr 24, 2026

Apr 13, 2026

Regular Council

motion

In 2025, Council directed staff to bring forward a water and wastewater rebate program for consideration as part of the 2026 Operating Budget, with the intent of reducing financial pressures on low-income seniors.

The proposed Water and Wastewater Rebate Policy would allow eligible low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to receive an annual non-cash, non-refundable rebate (credit) of $420, subject to application and approval each year and in alignment with the 2026 approved operating issue.

The credit would be applied directly to the applicant’s account and cover both water and wastewater charges. For applicants who receive only water service from the City, the annual credit would be reduced to $200. This credit represents approximately 25% of average annual utility costs to residents billed by the City. These credits will be clawed back and/or prorated if the recipient ceases to occupy the property as their principal residence and/or if occupancy commences after January 1 of the approval year.

Based on an estimated 500 approved applications, consistent with historic participation in the City’s Property Tax Rebate Program, the annual financial impact of the program is estimated at approximately $210,000 and has been included in the approved 2026 operating budget. The cost is funded by water ($102,900) and wastewater ($107,100) rates, reflecting the proportional distribution of charges within the City’s utility rate structure.

The City currently provides $500,000 per year in Property Tax Rebates for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.

This is the second relief program for water and wastewater charges, as Council approved the implementation of a Water Leak Forgiveness Policy in August 2025 to allow all eligible residents to apply for a one-time credit offsetting charges for high water usage as a result of a water leak.

DDF-2026-02 – Low Income Senior & Persons with Disabilities Rebate Policy for Download

Motion

Record: BC-260413-4

Low Income Senior & Persons with Disabilities Rebate Policy for Water and Wastewater Charges

Meeting

That Council approve the Low Income Senior & Persons with Disabilities Rebate Policy for Water and Wastewater Charges.

Moved by: Councillor Garnet Thompson

Seconded by: Councillor Barbara Enright-Miller

Result: Carried

Open Council analysis

Belleville’s new water and wastewater rebate for low-income seniors and people with disabilities is a well-intentioned relief measure, but by limiting relief to specific age groups, the City is ignoring the working poor and young families who face the same – or greater – affordability crises.

A significant flaw in this policy is the wealth gap. Some seniors who are eligible for this rebate are homeowners who have seen their primary assets appreciate considerably over the last decade. While their monthly cash flow may be tight, they sit on hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity.

In contrast, low-income younger individuals are grappling with record-high housing costs without the benefit of long-term property appreciation, and are explicitly barred from this support.

Subsidizing the gap

The most problematic aspect is the funding model. The rebate is funded by water and wastewater rates rather than general tax revenue.

Every young worker and student in Belleville is effectively subsidizing the utility bills of older homeowners through their own rates. For example, a 22-year-old making minimum wage and living in a basement apartment pays into a fund that provides a 25% discount to a homeowner whose house has doubled in value since the early 2000s.

Income-based equity

True fairness should be based on financial need, not a birth certificate. By sticking to demographic-based rebates, the City is picking winners and losers in the poverty struggle. It’s time for Belleville to look beyond age and provide utility relief that supports all residents who are struggling to keep their heads above water.