Water Rates

Water Utility User Fee Rate Restructure Phase Three starts in 2024

The new rate structure will be phased in over four years and will align water consumption to water utility costs and will promote water conservation. City Council approved changes to the Water Utility user fee rate structure at the June 28, 2021, Regular Council meeting. Read the Corporate Report.

The new structure will be a consumption-based model and will (once fully phased in):

  • Bill customers a smaller fixed fee based on meter size (including multi-family buildings which are currently calculated by unit).
  • Bill customers only for the water consumption used.

Advantages of the new rate structure:

  • Customers will no longer be paying for water they do not use. With the current rate structure, many customers do not use all of their water consumption included in the fixed fee.
  • Bills will be reduced for customers who use less water. For example, when away from home and no water is used, only the fixed fee will apply.
  • The new rate encourages water conservation. Previously customers could only affect their bill if they were using more water than what was included in the fixed fee.
  • The new structure is similar to neighbouring cities with metered water and is easier to understand.

Impact on customers:

Depending on each customer’s water usage, bills will either decrease, be similar or increase.  The new rate structure is to be phased in over 4 years:

  • Phase 1 – the fixed fee would be reduced by 20% and the consumption included in the fixed fee would also be reduced by 20%. 
  • Phase 2 – the fixed fee would be reduced by a further 20% and the consumption included in the fixed fee would also be reduced by a further 20%. 
  • Phase 3 – the fixed fee would be reduced by a further 20% and the consumption included in the fixed fee would also be reduced by a further 20%. 
  • Phase 4 – the new rate structure will be fully implemented. 

Next Steps:

  • Phase 3 water rates were approved by Council on December 11, 2023.  Use the Water Rate Quarterly Bill Calculator to estimate your 2024 quarterly bills.
  • Letters to high use customers, who could see significant increases to their water bills, were mailed in November 2021.
  • The new rate would be effective for the 1st quarter bill of 2024. This bill is mailed to customers in April 2024.

2024 Residential Fees

Single Family (including duplex, triplex or fourplex dwellings)

Minimum by Meter SizeIncludes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2024 Per Quarter
Single Family Minimum (5/8 inch meter)600 cubic feet$     57.60                   
Single Family Minimum (1 inch meter)1,560 cubic feet115.60                   
Single Family Minimum (1 1/2 inch meter)3,000 cubic feet231.30                   
Single Family Minimum (2 inch meter)4,800 cubic feet370.20                   
Single Family Minimum (3 inch meter)9,000 cubic feet694.00                   
Single Family Minimum (4 inch meter)15,000 cubic feet1,156.80                   
Single Family Minimum (6 inch meter)30,000 cubic feet2,285.80                   

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $8.87


2024 Multi Family Fees

Minimum Per Unit         Includes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2024 Per Quarter
Multi Family Minimum per unit                     300 cubic feet per unit$      20.50                    

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $8.87


2024 Non Residential Fees

Minimum by Meter SizeIncludes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2024 Per Quarter
Non Residential Minimum (5/8 inch meter)600 cubic feet$     46.30                    
Non Residential Minimum (1 inch meter)1,560 cubic feet115.60                    
Non Residential Minimum (1 1/2 inch meter)3,000 cubic feet231.30                    
Non Residential Minimum (2 inch meter)4,800 cubic feet370.20                    
Non Residential Minimum (3 inch meter)9,000 cubic feet694.00                    
Non Residential Minimum (4 inch meter)15,000 cubic feet1,156.80                    
Non Residential Minimum (6 inch meter)30,000 cubic feet2,285.80                    

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $8.87


2023 Residential Fees

Single Family (including duplex, triplex or fourplex dwellings)

Minimum by Meter SizeIncludes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2023 Per Quarter
Single Family Minimum (5/8 inch meter)900 cubic feet$     86.30                   
Single Family Minimum (1 inch meter)2,340 cubic feet173.50                   
Single Family Minimum (1 1/2 inch meter)4,500 cubic feet347.00                   
Single Family Minimum (2 inch meter)7,200 cubic feet555.20                   
Single Family Minimum (3 inch meter)13,500 cubic feet1,041.10                   
Single Family Minimum (4 inch meter)22,500 cubic feet1,735.10                   
Single Family Minimum (6 inch meter)45,000 cubic feet3,428.70                   

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $7.99


2023 Multi Family Fees

Minimum Per Unit         Includes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2023 Per Quarter
Multi Family Minimum per unit                     450 cubic feet per unit$      30.80                    

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $7.99


2023 Non Residential Fees

Minimum by Meter SizeIncludes Consumption Up ToEffective January 1, 2023 Per Quarter
Non Residential Minimum (5/8 inch meter)900 cubic feet$     69.40                   
Non Residential Minimum (1 inch meter)2,340 cubic feet173.50                   
Non Residential Minimum (1 1/2 inch meter)4,500 cubic feet347.00                   
Non Residential Minimum (2 inch meter)7,200 cubic feet555.20                   
Non Residential Minimum (3 inch meter)13,500 cubic feet1,041.10                   
Non Residential Minimum (4 inch meter)22,500 cubic feet1,735.10                   
Non Residential Minimum (6 inch meter)45,000 cubic feet3,428.70                   

Excess consumption above consumption included in minimum, per 100 cubic feet: $7.99

Water Rates