‘This is just adding insult to injury’: Why Calgary water bills could soon be going up
Posted Oct 5, 2026 5:57 pm.
Calgarians could soon see significant increases on their water bills after city council’s executive committee voted to endorse higher utility rates over the next four years.
In an 8-2 vote Monday, the committee approved a plan that would see average annual increases of 19.9 per cent for drinking water, 15.2 per cent for wastewater and 5.8 per cent for stormwater services from 2027 to 2030.
For a typical residential customer, their monthly bill would rise from $119.21 today to $206.94 by 2030.
City administration says the increases are needed to improve Calgary’s water system, including maintaining and replacing aging infrastructure, supporting growth and preparing for future drought and flood risks.
“We need to make an intergenerational investment in our water assets, and the only way we can finance it is through higher rates,” said Ward 6 Coun. John Pantazopolous.
However, the proposed increases come as Calgarians could also face a steep property tax increase, prompting criticism from some council members.
“I’m already hearing from residents, this is just adding insult to injury,” said Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean. “They’re [council] already talking about a 20 per cent and a 15 [per cent increase], who knows what our tax increase is going to be on residents.”
Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the city is seeking financial support from the provincial government.
“It’s a regional provincial infrastructure that we provide, serving 2 million residents and there’s definitely a business case for the province to step in and help support us,” Farkas said.
The committee also approved a notice of motion from Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness that calls for the public release of the total amounts invoiced by and paid to the chair and panel members of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Independent Review Panel.
Wyness, who voted against the utility rate increases, said more transparency is needed around the cost of the review.
The notice of motion states the independent review cost more than $2.3 million.
“We overpaid for a report that is astronomical that could have gone towards capital projects,” Wyness said.
Both the proposed utility rate increases and Wyness’ notice of motion must still be approved by city council before taking effect.
