FAQs for wastewater collection rates and bills

Wastewater collection rates

The fees support all sanitary and stormwater management services, flood mitigation, neighbourhood renewal and activities to protect the environment, such as biosolids disposal. (Biosolids are the by-product of the municipal wastewater treatment process.)

The sanitary charges are designed to recover the costs associated with planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining the pipes and facilities required for the collection and the transfer of wastewater from the places where we eat, work, play and visit to the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The fee is for the collection, quality enhancement and disposal of stormwater that runs off our streets and properties into the sewer system. It includes construction and maintenance of storm sewers, as well as other stormwater management/quality enhancement facilities.

The stormwater rate was set to ensure that the drainage system can maintain services and infrastructure as well as meet its financial obligations in the future. This cost of providing stormwater services is distributed across all properties in Edmonton as it provides a community-wide benefit.

Rate changes are reviewed and approved by our regulator, the City of Edmonton, and reflect the cost of providing service. Rates are set through a performance-based regulation process that balances reliable operations with the need to support growth across the city, while maintaining reasonable rates for customers.

All customers pay the same rate, while the monthly charge will vary for everyone based on the size of your property and the amount of stormwater runoff from your property entering into the sewer system. The amount of runoff is determined based on the property zoning and varies with the permeability of your property’s surface (e.g., concrete vs. grass) and the amount of development (e.g., erected buildings vs. natural landscape).

No, GST is not charged on drainage fees.

City Council as regulator of EPCOR Drainage Services approved a yearly 3% rate increase through the PBR process for 2018-2022.

Increases to sanitary and stormwater rates are required to cover the ongoing costs to maintain and upgrade the stormwater system to ensure reliable stormwater services are provided to customers.

Sanitary utility bill

The fee is based on a fixed rate that is tied to the size of water meter and a uniform variable rate per cubic meter of water consumed. The rates are applied consistently to all residential and non-residential customers.

It is estimated that a typical residential Edmonton household used 15.40 cubic metres (15,400 litres) of water per month during the year 2017.

Since the water still entered the sewer system, and therefore needed to be collected and conveyed to the wastewater treatment plant, no credits will be given.

This is done by EPCOR Water Services Inc. (EWSI). EWSI has a commercial meter inspector who is responsible for determining meter sizes based on site inspections and water demand analysis. A meter size that is too small for the amount of water required will result in insufficient water pressure to meet customer needs.

The size of a water meter is dependent on the size of the water lines at the location. Customers may have reduced water flow if they change to a smaller meter. Inspections may also be required before a smaller meter is approved. If you are interested in a meter change, you should call EPCOR at 780-412-6868.

Stormwater utility bill

What is stormwater?

Stormwater refers to rainwater, snowmelt or excess water from lawn watering that flows off streets and lots. The storm sewer system collects stormwater and disposes it into stormwater ponds and creeks, and eventually, the North Saskatchewan River.

About your monthly stormwater charges

Stormwater utility charges cover the cost to build, operate, and maintain the stormwater infrastructure, which collects accumulated rainwater and snowmelt to prevent flooding and property damage. This cost is distributed across all properties in Edmonton as it provides a community-wide benefit. All customers pay the same rate, while the monthly charge will vary for everyone based on the size of your property, the amount of development (e.g., erected buildings vs. natural landscape) and how permeable your property's surface is (e.g., concrete vs. grass).

The monthly stormwater utility charge was approved by City Council on July 2, 2002, and took effect January 1, 2003. Stormwater is considered a utility because it provides a base service and benefit to customers. The charge is for the base service, just like there is a basic or flat service fee each month for the use of the sanitary sewer. In both Canada and the U.S., other municipalities have implemented stormwater utility charges.

Types of activities covered by the Stormwater Utility Charge

Build
Operate
Maintain

Stormwater utility charges cover the cost to build, operate, and maintain the stormwater infrastructure, which collects accumulated rainwater and snowmelt to prevent flooding and property damage.

How is the Stormwater charge calculated?

In accordance with the EPCOR Wastewater Services Bylaw, the monthly stormwater charge is calculated using the following formula: A x I x R x Rate, where:

A: Area - The area of the property in square metres (m²), and the proportion of the building lot area attributable to each unit for multiple units sharing a single building of property.

I: Development Intensity Factor - The measure of the portion of lot being used for its intended development. The development intensity factor is 1.0 as default, except for commericial or multi-family residential properties where owners demonstrate they contribute significantly less stormwater runoff per property area to the City's land drainage system during rainfalls than other similarly zone properties.

R: Runoff coefficient - represents the portion of rainfall that becomes runoff and enters the stormwater system. The runoff coefficient relates to the portion of permeable and impermeable areas within your property and is determined based on the zoning.

Rate: The stormwater utility rate - the rate as of April 1, 2024 is $0.070139.

Not since the stormwater utility charge was approved by City Council on July 2, 2002 and took effect January 1, 2003. The monthly stormwater utility charge on your EPCOR bill replaces paying for the system through property taxes.

In cases where there multiple units sharing a single building or property, each customer is billed for a proportion of the building lot area attributable to each unit.

Your neighbour's lot may be smaller. The charge is not based on the value of a property but the size of the lot, the land zoning type of the property and development intensity.

No, GST is not included in utility charges.

No. There is no credit program for residential customers for capturing and containing stormwater in rain barrels or through absorbent landscaping. However, you may want to check out the RainWise Rebate Program to see if any of your future landscaping projects qualify for those rebates.

There is no credit program for developed residential properties as they are considered fully utilized for their intended land use.

Starting April 2, 2025, EPCOR will offer stormwater rebates through the RainWise Rebate Program. We recommend you look at that program to see if any future landscaping projects qualify for those rebates (e.g. rain barrels, rain garden, etc.).

Yes. There is a program for commercial or multi-family residential customers who have largely undeveloped properties or on-site stormwater management systems.

Please call us at 310-4300.