New, higher utility rates for water and wastewater will come into effect on April 1, 2025 for Rocky Mountain House residents. However, those will be tempered by lower fees for solid waste collection taking effect the same day.
For the average residential property, the combined water and wastewater rate increase will amount to an additional $16.82 per month. Despite these increases, town officials say the average utility bill for a town residence will remain lower than the regional average, totaling $142 per month, compared to $156 in comparable communities.
The changes are part of the town’s efforts to cover the operating and capital costs of municipal services, including the ongoing construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant, set to meet stricter provincial environmental regulations, is expected to be operational by mid-2025 and will cost $1 million annually to run.
The plant will replace the old lagoon system which has served the town since the 1980s.
The new plant, along with a planned community education program regarding fresh water use is in line with town council’s strategic priorities, says Acting Mayor Len Phillips, which includes being good stewards of the environment.
“Water is a commodity these days. All you have to do is look to droughts that have been happening all over the province,” says Phillips. “The more water we take out of the North Saskatchewan River, means there’s less for others downstream.”
The rate changes are informed by a 2023 utility rate study aimed at ensuring future operations are financially sustainable. In addition, the utility system operates on a user-pay model, meaning only homes and businesses connected to municipal water and wastewater are charged for these services. Base rates are consistent across properties, while the consumption rate is based on metered water usage.
However, residents who also pay for residential solid waste collection will see a reduction in fees, Phillips adds.
Starting April 1, 2025, solid waste fees will decrease by $4.62 per month, following the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in Alberta. EPR shifts the financial responsibility for recycling paper and packaging products from consumers and municipalities to producers. The town notes this change will have no impact on the level of service for residents.
Phillips says these new rates, and the effort to move to the EPR waste collection system, all aim to ensure the sustainability of municipal services while minimizing the financial burden on residents.
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READ MORE:
- Rocky Mountain House approve 2025 operating and capital budget, including 2 per cent tax increase
- Council adopts “5 pillars” of 2024-2026 strategic plan
- Town of Rocky Mountain House opts in to provincially-mandated waste collection guideline
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