Calgary council approves steep water rate hikes through 2030

Average household water bill, 2030

206 $ a month

The average household's monthly water bill is set to rise from $119 this year to $134 in 2027 and $206 by 2030.

Yearly increase, 2027 to 2030

• Drinking water: nearly 20%
• Wastewater: 15.2%
• Stormwater: 5.8%

Annual increases from 2027 to 2030 will help pay for a $6.5 billion capital investment over four years to renew and expand water infrastructure.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas called the hikes an "accountability moment" after what he said was more than 10 years of underinvestment in the water system. Council voted 9-6 in favour.

— Jeromy Farkas, Calgary mayor

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce calls the business increases "egregious": a medium-sized business could pay $3,093.19 a month in 2030, up from $1,661.33. The rates go into budget deliberations in November.