New rates for Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste come into effect on January 1, 2026.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House does not make a profit on utilities. The Town only charges what it costs to deliver utilities to residents and businesses.
Base and consumption rates for residential and commercial water and wastewater will increase on January 1, 2026.
Utilities operate on a cost-recovery model. This means the Town only charges what it costs to deliver utilities to residents and businesses. Utilities are not subsidized by taxation. Only properties that use the municipal water and sewer are invoiced for the service.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House fee structure includes base rates as well as consumption rates.
The base rates cover the standard operating and capital costs of the water and wastewater treatment plants and the distribution and collection infrastructure. The consumption rates covers the cost of treating the water and wastewater.
With the split base and consumption rates, households and businesses that moderate their water use can have more control over their bill.
New water and sewer rates will be as follows:
| Service | Current rate | As of January 1, 2026 |
Water base rate | $33.42/mo | $34.42/mo |
Metered water consumption | $1.91/m3 | $1.99/m3 |
Sewer base rate | $25.11/mo | $27.64/mo |
Sewer consumption | $2.34/m3 | $2.81/m3 |
Bulk water | $6.41/m3 | $7.18/m3 |
Septage Disposal | $8.20/m3 | $9.84/m3 |
The largest increases will be to the wastewater base rate and septage disposal rate. These increases are a direct result of the new mechanical wastewater treatment plant that will come on stream in 2026.
The new rates take effect January 1, and will be reflected on your February bill.
FAQ: utility rate increase
Why now?
Provincial and federal environmental regulation changes have forced the Town of Rocky Mountain House to break ground on a new mechanical wastewater treatment plant. This $37-million facility will be commissioned in 2026.
The cost to operate the mechanical plant will be considerably higher than the current lagoon system, at approximately $1 million per year.
The new utility rates coming into effect in January are supported by a 2023 utility rate study, to ensure rates charged cover operating and capital costs for current and future operations.
How much more will my bill be?
The average residential property consuming 14 m3 of water per month will see a $10 increase in monthly billing for water and wastewater.
Solid Waste fees (garbage, recycling, organics and Eco Centre fees) remain unchanged.
In 2026 the average municipal utility charges for a Town residence will be $152 per month, lower than the average of $164 for comparable communities.
Can I sign up for utility automatic payments?
Yes. Download and complete enrolment form and return it to the Town Office, or by email to utilities@trmh.ca.
How can I reduce my utility bill?
If you use more, you will pay more. Cut back at the tap to reduce your bill each month. Click here for tips on how to reduce your water consumption at home without compromising your lifestyle.
