County increases water service fees

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County has approved a seven per cent general increase to their Master Schedule of Fees.

The increase was approved alongside consumer price index (CPI) and municipal price index (MPI) adjustments of 2.9 per cent, and 2.32 per cent respectively. 

Potential rate increases were previously discussed by the Committee of the Whole during the Aug. 16 meeting. 

From a monthly billing perspective, a seven per cent increase on an account average of 12 cubic meters of water used would approximate to a $10 monthly increase to users. 

As Cluny does not receive water services, the municipality will only experience an increase to the wastewater fixed fee and capital levy approved, equating to a $4 monthly increase. 

Coun. Glenn Koester, following administration’s presentation on the Master Schedule of Fees, referenced conversations during the previous Committee of the Whole meeting, which had suggested the potential for individual rates per hamlet within the county as opposed to a more standardized fee structure. 

“There were some comments made that maybe we should be charging individual rates for individual hamlets because some are more expensive (to service) than others,” he said. “I have been thinking on that – everything is not the same in the county. Take Gleichen and Rosebud; the county buys water straight from the WRC and they have their own works that they maintain, so those two communities do not have a water treatment plant or reservoirs or pumps or anything.”

He added, communities such as Speargrass, Carseland, and Muirfield each have treatment plants, reservoirs, and water maintenance facilities that other municipalities do not, yet all are charged the same for infrastructure.

Koester said he would like to see, potentially at a future Committee of the Whole meeting, discussion regarding a shift away from standardized fees and instead charging municipalities based on the direct costs associated with their individual services.

Coun. Scott Klassen noted despite some municipalities, such as Rosebud and Gleichen, where the supplier of water services differs, water servicing infrastructure which remains in operation is the responsibility of the county to maintain.

In response to Koester’s comments, administration provided a policy is soon to be drafted to potentially address the idea of adjusting how small municipalities are charged for their water services provided by the county. 

An exact date for when a new draft will be presented before council, or the Committee of the Whole was not indicated. 

Updated water servicing fees will begin to be reflected as of the start of the next financial year in 2026.