Strathmore water bills could jump $16-$17 a month in 2027

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore residents could see their monthly water costs climb by about $16 to $17 next year as the town prepares for a significant increase in the price it pays for water from Calgary.

The proposed increase was discussed during Strathmore’s Sept. 9 Committee of the Whole meeting as council reviewed the draft 2027 Fees Bylaw.

Administration is proposing an increase to the water consumption rate as Calgary prepares to raise the cost charged to municipalities purchasing water through the regional system.

Council heard Calgary is facing significant capital costs tied to its water infrastructure, with part of those costs being passed on to communities that purchase Calgary water.

“This in turn has significant impact to the water purchase price, which we need to account for in the rates we charge to the public,” administration told council.

The town is also proposing changes to both the consumption rate and fixed water charges in an attempt to spread the increase more evenly.

The existing system of 11 different water meter sizes would be simplified into three categories.

Coun. Brent Wiley said the impact will be noticeable for residents.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that all residents who purchase Calgary water are going to see, I’ll use the word, an enormous jump in our monthly water expenses,” Wiley said. “The average home is going to see an increase. Our estimate is going to be $16, $17 a month in water expenses.”

Administration said Strathmore has little ability to avoid the increase because the town purchases its water from Calgary.

The rate currently being proposed is based on the middle of a range provided through discussions with the City of Calgary.

“We’re at a point now where between what has been shared with the regional municipalities and what the city knows on their end and combining it all together, they’ve given us a range,” administration told council. “These rates are based on the middle of that range.”

Administration said there is an estimated 85 to 90 per cent confidence that the final amount will fall close to what is currently being proposed.

Council also asked whether provincial assistance could eventually reduce the impact.

Administration said provincial relief appears unlikely in time for the town’s 2027 budget, although any future financial contribution could be reflected through an annual reconciliation process between Calgary and Strathmore.

Administration said, “There was definitely some push back,” when asked whether Strathmore challenged Calgary over the increase.

Council also revisited whether Strathmore could eventually build its own water treatment facility instead of purchasing water from Calgary.

Administration said that option would require significant land, raw-water storage, specialized staff and major capital investment.

The existing regional water line, built roughly 15 years ago, is also expected to have a much longer service life.

CAO Kevin Scoble compared abandoning that infrastructure early to replacing a relatively new vehicle before getting the full value from it. 

Wiley summarized the issue by saying the alternative could ultimately cost residents considerably more.

“If we all think a $16 or $17 monthly increase due to Calgary’s infrastructure deficiencies is a large amount, the amount we would see building our own water treatment facility is just incredibly more expensive,” he said.

Administration also said the proposed rate structure places more of the increase on consumption rather than fixed charges, allowing residents who conserve water to have greater control over their bills.

The proposed rates will return to council as part of the 2027 Fees Bylaw process.