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​Drainage rates

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What services are included in the drainage fees? What is the sanitary drainage charge for? What is the stormwater charge for? How was the rate determined? Does everyone pay the same rate? Is GST charged to my utility fee? Will the drainage utility rate increase in subsequent years? Why are the sanitary and stormwater rate increases greater than the inflation rate?
What services are included in the drainage fees?

​The fees support all sanitary and stormwater management services, flood mitigation, neighbourhood renewal and activities to protect the environment, such as biosolids disposal. (Biosolids are the by-product of the municipal wastewater treatment process.)

What is the sanitary drainage charge for?
​The sanitary charges are designed to recover the costs associated with planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining the pipes and facilities required for the collection and the transfer of wastewater from the places where we eat, work, play and visit to the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant.
What is the stormwater charge for?
​The fee is for the collection, quality enhancement and disposal of stormwater that runs off our streets and properties into the sewer system. It includes construction and maintenance of storm sewers, as well as other stormwater management/quality enhancement facilities.
How was the rate determined?
​The rate was set to ensure that the drainage system can maintain services and infrastructure as well as meet its financial obligations in the future.
Does everyone pay the same rate?
​Everyone will pay the same variable rate, while the fixed rate is based on the water meter size.
Is GST charged to my utility fee?
​No, GST is not charged on drainage fees.
Will the drainage utility rate increase in subsequent years?
​City Council as regulator of EPCOR Drainage Services approved a yearly 3% rate increase through the PBR process for 2018-2022.
Why are the sanitary and stormwater rate increases greater than the inflation rate?
​Significant portions of the increases to sanitary and stormwater fees go toward expansion of capital programs, increased operational expenses and help ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the utilities.
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How is the sanitary fee calculated? What is the monthly water consumption for a typical residential household? My toilet was leaking in our house for over a period of a few months. Will you give me a credit on my drainage charges since I didn't use the water? How is meter size determined for new commercial sites that are being constructed? What is the process for customers requesting to downgrade their water meter size?

Sanitary utility bill

How is the sanitary fee calculated?
​The fee is based on a fixed rate that is tied to the size of water meter and a uniform variable rate per cubic meter of water consumed. The rates are applied consistently to all residential and non-residential customers.
What is the monthly water consumption for a typical residential household?
​It is estimated that a typical residential Edmonton household used 15.40 cubic metres (15,400 litres) of water per month during the year 2017.
My toilet was leaking in our house for over a period of a few months. Will you give me a credit on my drainage charges since I didn't use the water?
​Since the water still entered the sewer system, and therefore needed to be collected and conveyed to the wastewater treatment plant, no credits will be given.
How is meter size determined for new commercial sites that are being constructed?
​This is done by EPCOR Water Services Inc. (EWSI). EWSI has a commercial meter inspector who is responsible for determining meter sizes based on site inspections and water demand analysis. A meter size that is too small for the amount of water required will result in insufficient water pressure to meet customer needs.
What is the process for customers requesting to downgrade their water meter size?
​The size of a water meter is dependent on the size of the water lines at the location. Customers may have reduced water flow if they change to a smaller meter. Inspections may also be required before a smaller meter is approved. If you are interested in a meter change, you should call EPCOR at (780) 412-6868.
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What is stormwater? Where did the stormwater utility charge come from? What is the stormwater charge for? Does everyone pay stormwater utility charges? Don't we already pay for stormwater through property taxes? Why am I being charged for something I cannot control? Do other municipalities use the utility bill to collect funding for stormwater? Is this a once a year utility charge? How is the stormwater fee calculated? Why is the size used for my property different then what is on the tax bill? Does everyone pay the same rate? Are determining factors the same for everyone? Why is my neighbour paying less than me? Is GST charged to my utility fee? I have lots of grass and rain barrels that catch all the rain from my roof. Can I get a rebate or credit for conserving and capturing stormwater? Why isn’t there a rebate or credit program for residential customers? I have an on-site stormwater management system on my commercial/industrial property. Can I get a credit/rebate for conserving and capturing stormwater? Can I appeal my utility fee? Who do I call if I have concerns about the actual components of the stormwater charge on my bill (such as square metres of development intensity or run-off coefficient)?

Stormwater utility bill

What is stormwater?

Stormwater refers to rain water, snowmelt or excess water from lawn watering that flows off streets and lots. The storm sewer system collects stormwater and disposes it into stormwater lakes, creeks, or the North Saskatchewan River.

Where did the stormwater utility charge come from?
​The stormwater utility was approved by City Council on July 2, 2002 and took effect January 1, 2003.
What is the stormwater charge for?
​The fee is for the collection, quality enhancement and disposal of stormwater that runs off our streets and properties into the sewer system. It includes construction and maintenance of storm sewers, as well as other stormwater management/quality enhancement facilities.
Does everyone pay stormwater utility charges?
​Yes, the utility collects a fee from all customers who benefit from the system. This is to ensure the system is fair and equitable to everyone.
Don't we already pay for stormwater through property taxes?
​Not anymore. The stormwater utility replaces paying for the system through property taxes.
Why am I being charged for something I cannot control?

Stormwater is considered a utility because it provides a base service and benefit to customers. The charge is for the base service, just like there is a basic or flat service fee each month for the use of the sanitary sewer.

 

Do other municipalities use the utility bill to collect funding for stormwater?
​In both Canada and the U.S., other municipalities have implemented stormwater utility.
Is this a once a year utility charge?
​No. It appears on your EPCOR bill each month.
How is the stormwater fee calculated?

​Charges are calculated using property size (A), development intensity (I), and a runoff coefficient (R), based on land zoning and a city-wide monthly rate.

A x I x R x Rate = Stormwater utility charge

  1. A: The area of the property in square metres (m2), and the proportion of the building lot area attributable to each unit for multiple units sharing a single building of property.
  2. I: The measure of the portion of lot being used for its intended development. The development intensity factor is typically 1.0, except for properties where owners demonstrate they contribute significantly less stormwater runoff per property area to the City's land drainage system during rainfalls than other similarly-zone properties.
  3. R: Run-off coefficient—the permeability of your lot's surface (i.e. grass versus concrete), based on land zoning.
    • The run-off coefficient for a single detached residential house is typically 0.50. However, depending on your property's land zoning classification, the run-off coefficient can range from 0.20 to 0.95.
  4. Rate: The monthly charge of $0.070139​ per square metre (m2).
Why is the size used for my property different then what is on the tax bill?
​Call (780) 412-4500 for more information.
Does everyone pay the same rate?
​Yes, all customers pay the same base rate (as approved by Council). However, the monthly fee may vary depending on the size of the lot, the land zoning type of the property and the development intensity.
Are determining factors the same for everyone?
​Development intensity is the measure of the portion of lot being used for its intended development. The development intensity is typically 1 for residential customers. For commercial and industrial properties reduced development intensity may apply.
Why is my neighbour paying less than me?
​Your neighbour's lot may be smaller. The charge is not based on the value of a property but the size of the lot, the land zoning type of the property and development intensity.
Is GST charged to my utility fee?
​No, GST is not charged on drainage fees.
I have lots of grass and rain barrels that catch all the rain from my roof. Can I get a rebate or credit for conserving and capturing stormwater?
​No. There is no rebate or credit program for capturing and containing stormwater in rain barrels or through absorbent landscaping.
Why isn’t there a rebate or credit program for residential customers?
​Developed residential properties are considered fully utilized for their intended land use. Residential properties receive a fair runoff coefficient through a residential land use zone.
I have an on-site stormwater management system on my commercial/industrial property. Can I get a credit/rebate for conserving and capturing stormwater?

​Yes. There is a credit program for non-residential customers who have largely undeveloped properties, on-site stormwater management systems, or properties draining directly into the North Saskatchewan River.

Can I appeal my utility fee?
​Only the development intensity factor can be appealed. Customers who have applied for a credit program to reduce their utility bill, but cannot reach an agreement with us on their property's development intensity, can appeal. For more information on appeals, call (780) 412-4500.
Who do I call if I have concerns about the actual components of the stormwater charge on my bill (such as square metres of development intensity or run-off coefficient)?

​Please call us at 310-4300.

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