It's an ongoing dilemma for municipalities, how to pay for the cost of providing clean drinking water.
On the heels of a new federal report by the Ecofiscal Commission, which recommends all muncipalities install water metres to help pay the cost of infrastructure, comes word the region is grappling with a significant funding gap.
The Region's public works commissioner Ron Tripp telling councillors yesterday, the region spends about $40 million a year on its water and sewer infrastructure when it really should be spending about $135 million a year.
Tripp noting with regional council ordering rate increases be kept around two percent, staff have limited ability to close the gap.
The Commissioner also noting other muncipalities have increased water and sewer rates to deal with the issue.
Tripp noting York Region is hiking its water and sewer charges by nine percent each year until 2020.