CALGARY- Calgary residents could face a substantial increase in their utility costs under a new proposal submitted to the City Executive Committee. To fund a $6.5 billion capital investment program for upgrading drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, average monthly water bills could climb from $119 in 2026 to nearly $207 by 2030.
Projected Monthly Bill Breakdown
(Based on a typical household consuming 19 cubic meters of water per month)
- 2026: $119.21
- 2027: $133.71 (+$14.50 / +12.2%)
- 2028: $153.76
- 2029: $178.24
- 2030: $206.94
Even if household water usage remains constant, total monthly bills are set to surge by approximately 74% over the next four years. This translates to an additional $1,053 per year per household by 2030.
Why Is the Increase Needed?
City administration emphasizes that massive investments are critical to address aging pipelines, a lack of redundant capacity for emergency repairs, and rising overall demand. Key areas of expenditure include:
- Structural repairs and maintenance
- Modernizing water treatment plants
- Implementing leak detection systems
- Flood prevention and mitigation infrastructure
- An additional $59.4 million allocation for operating expenses and new staffing
Next Steps
The proposal is currently pending approval. If the Executive Committee endorses the plan, it will proceed to the City Council for review during the November budget deliberations. If officially passed, the revised rates will take effect on January 1, 2027. Because water utility charges are separate from property taxes, this rate hike will not impact other tax structures.
