Higher water rates, rebates part of Lethbridge water conservation plan

With drought conditions still persistent across southern Alberta, the City of Lethbridge is putting its options on the table with a new water conservation plan. 

One of those options is charging some residents more for their water use. 

The plan aims to reduce water use by 20 per cent by 2030.

"Other municipalities have scaled water rates. They have been successful in changing and managing water consumption behaviour," said Joel Sanchez, director of infrastructure services with the city.

City administration presented the water conservation plan to the mayor and council, who met Thursday as the economic and financial standing policy committee. 

More water, more money

Lethbridge residents currently pay a flat rate of $1.327 for every cubic metre for water they use. The proposed changes would create a scaled rate. The three-tier system would charge households more for the water they use above certain thresholds. 

Tier One use is 20 cubic metres — 20,000 litres — of water or less per month. Use under that number would continue being charged at the current rate.   

Tier Two is for water use of more than 20 cubic metres, but less than 35 cubic metres per month. This level would see an increased rate of $1.593 per cubic metre for water use within that range.

In Tier Three, users would pay a rate of $1.753 per cubic metre for any water use above 36 cubic metres.

The conservation plan includes other elements. 

Educating residents on best practices for conserving water is a key part of it. Incentives like rebates for rain barrels or water-efficient fixtures are also being considered. 

"You can get a long way in having people voluntarily make changes in their daily routines and in the way they use water," said the city's manager of engineering and environment Mark Svenson. 

However, he believes scaled rates are another important tool to achieving the plan's goals. 

"What's also shown to increase that capacity or that conservation is those economic pieces."

The city already uses a tiered scale for industrial, commercial and institutional water users. 

Under the suggested changes, that scale would be adjusted to target those who use more than 5,000 cubic metres of water per month. 

Lethbridge water rates still low, says city

Lethbridge's water rates are lower than many Alberta municipalities, including Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer, according to the city. 

"Even with the adjusted rates, Lethbridge would remain among the lowest in Alberta and the lower percentile among municipalities in Canada," said Sanchez. 

Lethbridge resident Dale Leier attended Thursday's committee meeting at city hall. He says he understands Lethbridge has quite low rates.

"There seems to be a presumption here that because our water rates are lower than other jurisdictions that there's plenty of room to jack them higher," he said.

Leier says he's concerned residents may not be able to afford an increased rate, even if it is cheaper than other municipalities.

"Lethbridge isn't as affluent as Calgary or Edmonton," said Leier. 

The city says scaled rates would not affect most residents as it targets the heaviest residential water users. The proposed 20 cubic metre limit is based on the average use per month for Lethbridge households. 

According to the city's statistics, 74 per cent of households use under that amount of water per month and wouldn't see any changes to their bill. 

90 per cent of commercial users would also not be affected, as they use less than 5,000 cubic metres of water per month. 

Short term water rationing also reviewed

Other elements included in the water conservation plan are suggested upgrades to the Water Rationing Action Plan. 

That plan outlines the immediate actions for emergency situations when water isn't available. The proposed updates are triggers to identify the different stages of action, updated water use reduction targets and updated fines and penalties for those who don't comply. 

Changes to the Water Rationing Action Plan are likely to come before city council as they involve changes to the city's water bylaw. 

The standing policy committee voted to bring the Water Conservation Plan to city council for approval.