Understanding your water utility bill & water rates
Delivering services you value
By providing safe and reliable drinking water, treating wastewater, providing flood protection and maintaining a system of pipes, plants and pumps for a large growing city is complex.
Reading your water utility bill shouldn’t be.
Your bill explained
How to read your water utility bill
Your City of Calgary utility bill shows how much water your home uses each month. It can help you track your usage and find ways to save water and money.
The bill also includes your meter reading and shows whether the number is based on an actual reading or an estimate.
Sections of your bill
Numbered sections
- Name of the account holder and the service address for this bill.
- Water Treatment and Supply charges pay for the treatment
and delivery of the water used in your home. Usage is measured
and recorded by your water meter. - Days Billed is the number of days for which you’re being billed. This
can vary as meters aren’t always read on the same day each month. - Meter # corresponds with the number on your meter.
- Previous and Present Reading and Dates shows the dates and
the reading for previous and current months. - Read Type notes if your meter was read or estimated based on
past usage. - Use (m3) is your total water usage measured in cubic meters
(m3). 1m3 is equal to 1,000 litres or 10 bathtubs of water. - Water Charge is based on your total water usage recorded by
your meter. Pays for drawing water from the river, treating and
delivering it to your home/business. - Water Service Charge is a fixed charge that pays for services
including meter reading, billing, meter repairs and fire
protection. - Graph is provided to help you monitor water usage month over
month. The average Calgarian uses 7m3 of water every month. - Wastewater Collection and Treatment pays for collecting
and safely treating the water you produce from flushing toilets,
draining sinks and bathtubs, and then returning it to our rivers. - Wastewater Charge is for treating the wastewater before it is
pumped back into the river. This number is a percentage of your
total water usage. - Wastewater Service Charge is a fixed charge that pays for the
infrastructure to collect wastewater from your home and deliver
it to the treatment plants, and for billing. - Stormwater Management pays for the costs to ensure reliable
street drainage, flood protection and river health. - Stormwater Service Charge is a fixed charge that pays for
collecting and managing water from rain or snow/ice melt and
the infrastructure to move it to the nearest river or creek. - The City of Calgary Message Centre provides helpful
information, from tips on saving water to ways you can help
protect our rivers.
Translated guides
More about your bill
My bill is significantly higher than usual - what can I do?
Drinking water and wastewater include usage-based charges, so using less water can reduce that portion of the bill. Fixed charges remain because infrastructure and services must be available regardless of how much water is used.
A higher bill could be caused by a water leak or increased water use. Start with our high water-use checklist to identify possible causes.
If you can't determine the cause, reach out to ENMAX as soon as possible to seek assistance, being quick to act helps avoid billing impacts.
What do the different charges on my bill pay for?
Drinking water charges help pay for treating and delivering safe drinking water, testing water quality, building infrastructure, maintaining the system and providing services such as metering and fire protection.
Wastewater charges help pay for collecting wastewater, moving it through the wastewater system, treating it at wastewater treatment plants and safely returning treated water to the river.
Stormwater charges help pay for street drainage, flood-risk reduction, maintenance of stormwater infrastructure and work that protects rivers and communities.
Why are wastewater charges higher than drinking water charges?
Drinking water and wastewater are different services with different infrastructure, treatment, operating and regulatory requirements.
Wastewater charges help pay to collect wastewater from homes and businesses, move it through the wastewater system, remove contaminants and return treated water safely to the environment. These costs can be different from the costs of treating and delivering drinking water.
The wastewater calculation on your bill is based on the amount of water you use. On average, not all the water you use in your home or business is returned to the system for treatment.
Your wastewater charge for 2026 is based on a percentage of your water use:
- Residential: 88%
- Business: 90%
- Multi-family: 95%
These percentages account for water that doesn't enter the wastewater system, such as water used outdoors.
Don’t property taxes pay for water services?
No. Calgary’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services are self-supported. They’re funded through utility rates, levies, fees and other utility revenues rather than property taxes.
What support is available if I’m having difficulty paying my bill?
The Water Utility does not provide a customer bill-assistance program. Customers can contact ENMAX, The City's contracted customer care, billing and collections service provider to discuss different options such as payment arrangements.
To reach ENMAX please dial 310-2010 (or 1-877-571-7111 outside of Alberta).
Customers can also reduce the usage-based portion of their bill by saving water. Simple ways to save water include checking for leaks, running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads and using water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Customers may also qualify for up to $150 through the Home Water Savings Rebate Program toward eligible water-efficient bathroom fixtures.
Why does my bill fluctuate from month to month?
Your bill may change from month to month because the number of billing days can vary. Your water consumption itself can also vary, particularly from one season to the next.
Why does the number of days I am billed for vary?
The number of days you are billed for may vary as meters aren’t always read on the same day each month. However, it is typically between 28 and 32 days.
Can the billing of service charges be paused for extended vacancies?
No. Extended vacancy does not qualify as an acceptable reason to pause billing for water, wastewater, and stormwater service charges.
Service charges are a flat rate paid by all water utility customers regardless of the amount of water consumed, which cover the cost of infrastructure maintenance, meter reading and maintenance, billing, fire, and flood protection. They are in no way connected to water consumption or usage rates, which pay for the treatment of water and wastewater.
My bill says ‘estimated’ under Read Type. What does that mean?
If you have a water meter, your water and wastewater charges are based on your water use. Your bill shows whether the meter reading was actual or estimated. When you receive your bill, it shows what the meter reading was and whether it was an actual reading or an estimated meter reading.
If we cannot obtain a meter reading, your usage is estimated based on past use. This is referred to as an estimated meter reading. When we get an actual meter reading, we adjust your next bill to account for any difference between the estimate and your actual water use.
If you have received an estimate and would like to submit a reading, please contact ENMAX at 403-310-2010. You can also submit a meter reading to ENMAX online.
Additional rates and charges
The 2026 rates for missing, damaged/frozen meters are shown below and are based on the size of the meter.
Depending on your property’s meter location and billing setup, missing meter charges may be applied to your ENMAX bill or an invoice may be sent to your property management company/designate via The City of Calgary.
| Meter Size | Total Charge - Regular | Total Charge – Overtime/Emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Meter Size: 15mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$278.19 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$322.69 |
|
Meter Size:
20mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$298.99 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$343.49 |
|
Meter Size:
25mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$330.98
|
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$375.48 |
|
Meter Size:
40mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$607.77 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$652.27
|
|
Meter Size:
50mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$735.76 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$780.26 |
|
Meter Size:
75mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$1,810.56 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$1,886.84
|
|
Meter Size:
100mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$2,764.08 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$2,840.36 |
|
Meter Size:
150mm |
Total Charge - Regular:
$3,875.98
|
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$3,952.26
|
|
Meter Size:
75mm (turbine) |
Total Charge - Regular:
$1,020.24
|
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$1,096.52
|
|
Meter Size:
100mm (turbine) |
Total Charge - Regular:
$1,273.03 |
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$1,349.31 |
|
Meter Size:
150 mm (turbine) |
Total Charge - Regular:
$2,756.08
|
Total Charge –
Overtime/Emergency
:
$2,832.36
|
Your monthly water bill pays for three important services
These services are entirely funded by rates paid by customers. The water utility does not receive any funding from property taxes.
Water Treatment and Supply
Treatment and delivery of the clean and safe water used in your home or business, which includes:
- Two water treatment plants.
- Maintenance of over 5,350 kms of water pipes.
- Over 171,754 water quality tests.
- Responsive field crews to address service interruptions.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
Collecting and safely treating the water you produce from flushing toilets, draining sinks and bathtubs, and then returning it to our rivers, which includes:
- Three wastewater treatment plants.
- Significant upgrades to our treatment plants to meet regulatory requirements and to accommodate growth.
- Maintenance of over 5,000 kms of wastewater pipes.
- High quality water returned to our rivers
- Responsive field crews to address service interruptions.
Stormwater Management
Reliable street drainage, flood protection and river health, which includes:
- Protection from property damage.
- A network of stormwater infrastructure that protects our rivers by maintaining sediment levels below 41,300 kg/day.
- Maintenance and improvements to the stormwater system.
- Investment in flood protection and riverbank improvements.
Frequently asked questions
2027 Water Utility rates
Why are rates increasing so much now?
Several pressures are driving the need for greater investment in the water system: aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, higher costs and a clearer understanding of infrastructure condition and system risks. The approved rates provide more funding to renew infrastructure, expand capacity and improve system reliability.
Is this mainly because of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main?
No. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure reinforced the need to strengthen the water system, but the investment need is broader.
Calgary is also addressing aging infrastructure, growth, higher costs, capacity needs and system risks across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Why not slow down or delay the investment?
Delaying or spreading investment over longer could reduce near-term rates, but it would leave aging assets in service longer and delay reliability, capacity and risk-reduction improvements.
It could also increase the likelihood of service disruptions and emergency repairs and lead to higher costs.
What am I actually getting for the increase?
Previous budgets prioritized affordability and keeping rates low. Customers saw six per cent increases in 2025 and 2026, while the last sustained annual increases above six per cent were between 2012 and 2014.
Since then, infrastructure has aged, growth has increased demand, costs have risen and understanding of system risk has improved.
How much will my bill increase?
The increase depends on the customer group and water use. The sample 2027 monthly impacts above from 12.2% for the residential metered example to 20.0% for the large general service example.
The increases by service are 19.9% for drinking water, 15.2% for wastewater and 5.8% for stormwater, but those percentages are not applied directly to every customer’s total bill.
Water usage
Is my water use “normal”?
The average Calgarian uses 7m3, or 7,000 litres, of water every month. A family of three uses an average of 19m3, or 19,000 litres, of water every month.
For tips on how you can reduce your water use, check out saving water in your home and the Homeowner Water Guide.
How do you determine how much water I use?
Metered customers
Your water meter records how much water enters your home or business. Your water and wastewater charges are calculated using that amount.
Learn how to read your water meter.
Flat rate customers
If you are a residential customer on a flat rate, your water charge is determined by the size of both your lot and your residence.
How can I be sure my meter is accurate?
The City uses water meters that meet industry standards. A water meter can only record water that passes through it. To certify the meter’s accuracy, all meters are tested by the manufacturer at three different flow rates.
The City also supplements manufacturer testing with it's own water meter testing.
Rates and charges
What is the difference between usage rates and fixed charges?
What is the difference between usage charges and fixed charges?
Usage charges change based on how much water a customer uses. Drinking water and wastewater both include usage-based charges, so using less water can reduce this part of the bill.
Fixed charges do not change based on water use. They help pay for the services and infrastructure that must remain available whether a customer uses a little water or a lot, including pipes, treatment facilities, meters, billing and fire protection.
Stormwater is charged as a fixed charge, rather than based on water use. This charge helps pay for drainage, flood-risk reduction, maintenance of the stormwater system and protection of rivers.
How is a flat rate determined?
If you're on a flat rate, your water charge is based on the size of your lot and home. We use the measurements from the property's original development permit.
How do I know rate and fixed charges are fair and consider Calgary’s economic situation?
The City completes a cost-of-service study every four years with an independent consultant. The study looks at the cost of providing services to different customer groups fairly and equitably. Proposed rates are also reviewed each year to make sure they reflect current costs and financial conditions, ensuring safe water and reliable service for years to come.
How do Calgary's rates compare to other cities?
Utility rates can't be compared directly between cities because municipalities fund services differently. Calgary funds water, wastewater and stormwater services through utility revenue, while some municipalities use property taxes to pay for or subsidize these services. For example, in Calgary, water, wastewater and stormwater treatment is fully funded by water rates. In some cities those same costs are paid for or subsidized by taxes.