Utility Rates

2026 Utility Rate Update

Rates for water and wastewater in 2026 were amended to reflect that there are significant capital projects required in the coming years, which are having an impact on the rate model. 

The major projects include: 

  1. Waste Water Treatment Plant Effluent Limit Regulatory Changes / 2025 Construction Cost Inflation Adjustment: The province is imposing new effluent limits for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the Town must meet these new limits by 2031.  Currently, WWTP technology cannot achieve these new limits therefore a new treatment system must be constructed, which is estimated at $103 million. 
  2. Waste Water Treatment Plant Odour Control Phase 3: A third phase of odour control for the Waste Water Treatment Plant is planned at a cost of $7.2 million. 
  3. Railway Avenue Water and Sanitary Deep Utility Upgrade: The deep utilities replacements needed on Railway Avenue came in higher than previously approved, an additional $4.2 million is required for these upgrades. 

Billing Information

Town of Canmore utility bills are issued on a bi-monthly (every 2 months) basis and are due as per the due date listed on the invoice.

Utility Bill Rates

The following chart shows rates for a single-family residence
(15mm meter size)

Fixed (Base) Rates/Bi-Monthly Bill  2025 Rates 2026 Rates
Recycling $ 36.42 $ 36.42
Solid Waste $ 47.30 $ 49.20
Metered Water $ 63.80 $ 75.54
Wastewater $ 95.70 $113.32
Bi-Monthly Base Rate $ 243.22 $274.48
   
PLUS  
Rate Per Cubic Meter (m3) Consumed  
Metered Water* $ 1.451 $ 1.724
Wastewater* $ 2.177 $ 2.586
Total rate/m3 consumed $ 3.628 $4.310
   

Incline Block Rate: Residential consumption above 47 m3 per billing cycle is billed at a 20% surcharge.

 
Metered Water for consumption above 47m3 $ 1.741 $ 2.069
Wastewater for consumption above 47m3 $ 2.612 $ 3.103
Total rate/m3 above 47m3 $ 4.353 $ 5.172
   

1 cubic meter = 1,000 litres = 220 imperial gallons = 264 US gallons

 

 

*We do not meter water and wastewater separately. You are charged on the amount of water consumed – that is, water coming into your home through your meter. Although not metered separately, water and wastewater charges are shown as separate items on the bills as a visual reminder that there are considerable costs involved in processing wastewater and returning it to the Bow River watershed in essentially the same condition as we received it.

A 1.5% penalty will be applied to any outstanding utility account balances if not paid by the 25th day of each month (or next business day if the 25th is a weekend or holiday). If there is a balance owing on an account, any payment will be applied first to penalties, and then to the outstanding balance.

Unpaid utility accounts risk transfer of arrears to the property tax account. Please contact the Utility Department if you would like to discuss payment options. 

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