The average monthly water bill for a household in Calgary could increase from around $119 this year to $207 by 2030 under a proposal going before the city’s executive committee Monday. The proposed increases would help support a $6.5-billion capital investment program for Calgary’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. For a residential customer using 19 cubic metres of water a month, the combined bill would rise from $119.21 in 2026 to $133.71 in 2027, which is an increase of $14.50 a month, or 12.2 per cent. Further increases would bring that monthly bill to $153.76 in 2028, $178.24 in 2029 and $206.94 in 2030. That would amount to a nearly 74 per cent increase over four years, assuming unchanged consumption. By 2030, the customer would pay about $1,053 more each year than in 2026. The amount actually billed will depend on the amount of water used and the type of customer. The increases have not been approved. The Executive Committee is being asked to recommend the plan to council, with related budgets and bylaw changes coming through November’s budget process. If approved, revised rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. City administration says Calgary’s water systems require major investment to address aging infrastructure, limited backup capacity and growing demand. The proposed capital program includes infrastructure renewal, water treatment plant upgrades, expanded wastewater capacity, improved leak detection and stormwater projects intended to reduce localized flooding. Administration is also seeking $59.4 million in additional operating funding and 343 positions to meet regulatory requirements, address deferred maintenance and operate new infrastructure. The report says past utility rates have not kept pace with the investment needed to address infrastructure risks. Delaying work could increase service disruptions, emergency repairs and long-term costs, according to administration. Water utility services are funded through rates and levies rather than property taxes, meaning the proposed increases would be separate from any property tax changes. While the report cites research showing support for investment in reliable water services, it says direct public engagement on the proposed rates and bill impacts has not been undertaken. Administration recommends retaining the existing mix of fixed and usage-based charges, with further analysis of conservation-oriented rate options coming back through the 2028 mid-cycle budget adjustment process.
