Water and Sewer Rate Policy
The Town of Wawota’s water and sewer rates and fees, as outlined in Bylaw No. 4/2025, are determined based on the income and expense information from recent financial statements. A rate increase in 2025, has helped break even with expenditures.
Increased Water, Sewer, and Infrastructure Rates
Over the past three years, the Town has experienced an average annual deficit of $40,000. In 2025 a surplus of $4,642.91. The Town is committed to achieving self-sufficiency for its Water & Sewer Utility, ensuring that all expenses are covered by revenue generated from its users.
To promote water conservation, the Town has set the overage charge at a level that significantly increases the cost for users exceeding the minimum consumption for the quarter. This structure encourages mindful water usage, while also supporting the financial sustainability of the utility.
The treatment of water through reverse osmosis is an energy-and resource-intensive process, contributing to high operational costs. While the Town strives to keep water rates affordable, additional revenue is generated through sales at the truck and pail fills unfortunately bulk water sales had decreased in 2025 at the Water Treatment Plant.
Waterworks Capital Investment Strategy
The Town of Wawota implemented a Capital Investment Strategy that involves allocating a portion of revenue at the end of each quarterly billing cycle to fund future water and sewer infrastructure projects.
This funding is derived from utility payments received following the issuance of quarterly invoices. The primary focus of our capital planning is the replacement of aging water lines throughout the
community and ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations at the Water Treatment Plant. Most of the water lines in Wawota are over 40 years old, with the exception of a few shorter lines
and those in newly developed areas. Our long-term goal is to systematically replace sections of the water system until all areas of town are serviced by modern infrastructure.
The 1 st Street Water Line Replacement was completed this spring. Additionally, the replacement of Sewer Lift Station #1, located on Hill Avenue, is scheduled for 2026.
Sewer Lift Station #1 (Hill Avenue) Replacement
The Town of Wawota has been approved to receive funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for the replacement and upgrade of the aging Sewer Lift Station #1, located
on Hill Avenue. The existing lift station is significantly outdated and requires substantial upgrades to meet current and future demands. The replacement of this infrastructure is essential to ensure the long-
term reliability and efficiency of the Town’s sewer system.
The total estimated cost of the project is $2,450,000. Funding has been allocated as follows:
Federal Government (ICIP) – $980,000 (40%)
Provincial Government (ICIP) – $816,585 (33.3%)
Town of Wawota – $653,415 (26.7%)
To fund the Town’s portion of the project, approval has been granted by the Saskatchewan Municipal Board to borrow the $900,000 through debentures over a 20-year term.
Project Update:
Tenders were received for construction of Sewer Lift Station #1, which has been rewarded to Castle Construction Ltd. for $2,115,420.00 plus taxes. Construction scheduled to start in September 2026.
