2011 Municipal Water Pricing Report

Municipal Water Pricing 2009 Statistics

Chart 1: Percent of Population Served Volumetric and Non-Volumetric Water Rates, 1991-2009

This chart shows, for survey years 1991 through 2009, the percent of the population served volumetric and non-volumetric water rates. The percent of the population served volumetric water rates was 53% in 1991, 54% in 1994, 55% in 1996, 57% in 1999, 63% in 2001, 70% in 2004, 77% in 2006 and 80% in 2009. The percent of the population servednon-volumetric water rates was 47% in 1991, 46% in 1994, 44% in 1996, 43% in 1999, 38% in 2001, 30% in 2004, 23% in 2006 and 20% in 2009.

Chart 2: Percent of Population Served CUC, IBR, DBR or Non-Volumetric Water Rates, 2009

This chart shows the percent of the population served CUC, IBR, DBR or non-volumetric water rates in 2009. 59.8% are served CUC, 11.0% are served IBR, 9.3% are served DBR and 19.8% are served non-volumetric rates.

Chart 3: Percent of Residential Population Served Non-Volumetric, CUC, IBR and DBR Water Rates, 1991-2009

This chart shows the change in population served CUC, IBR, DBR or non-volumetric water rates from 1991 to 2009. The population served non-volumetric rates was 47% in 1991, 46% in 1994, 44% in 1996, 43% in 1999, 38% in 2001, 30% in 2004, 23% in 2006, and 20% in 2009. The population served CUC was 33% in 1991, 37% in 1994, 38% in 1996, 39% in 1999, 40% in 2001, 45% in 2004, 46% in 2006 and 60% in 2009. The population served IBR was 4% in 1991, 6% in 1994, 10% in 1996, 10% in 1999, 20% in 2001, 23% in 2004, 21% in 2006 and 11% in 2009. The population served DBR was 24% in 1991, 19% in 1994, 14% in 1996, 13% in 1999, 8% in 2001, 8% in 2004, 10% in 2006 and 9% in 2009.

Chart 4: Percent of Pop. with Base/Min. Charges and Share of Total Water and Sewer Bill, at 25 Cubic Metres per Month, that is Base/Min. Charge

This chart shows the percent of the population that has base or minimum charges and the share of the total water and sewer bill, at 25 cubic metres per month, that is base or minimum charges. The percent of the population that has base or minimum charges is 89% in the under one thousand population size group, 92% in the one to two thousand population size group, 94% in the two to five thousand population size group, 83% in the five to fifty thousand population size group, 82% in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, 23% in the over five hundred thousand population size group and 50% for Canada overall. The share of the total water and sewer bill, at 25 cubic metres per month, that is base or minimum charges is 43% in the under one thousand population size group, 43% in the one to two thousand population size group, 37% in the two to five thousand population size group, 29% in the five to fifty thousand population size group, 18% in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, 8% in the over five hundred thousand population size group and 18% for Canada overall.

Chart 5: Average Volumetric Rates for Water and Sewer at Various Levels of Consumption

This chart shows the average volumetric rates for water and sewer at a consumption level of 10 cubic metres per month, 25 cubic metres per month, and 35 cubic metres per month, both in 2006 and 2009. At 10 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $23.17 in 2006 and $26.11 in 2009. At 25 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $42.91 in 2006 and $53.39 in 2009. At 35 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $56.37 in 2006 and $71.79 in 2009.

Chart 6: Average Marginal Price for Water and Sewer (Volumetric Rates Only), at Various Levels of Consumption

This chart shows the average marginal price for water and sewer at a consumption level of 10 cubic metres per month, 25 cubic metres per month, and 35 cubic metres per month, both in 2006 and 2009. The average marginal price for water and sewer at 10 cubic metres per month was $1.38 in 2006 and $1.84 in 2009. The average marginal price for water and sewer at 25 cubic metres per month was $1.45 in 2006 and $1.84 in 2009. The average marginal price for water and sewer at 35 cubic metres per month was $1.45 in 2006 and $1.84 in 2009.

Chart 7: Average Volumetric Rates for Water and Sewer (25 Cubic Metres per Month), by Province/Territory

This chart shows the average volumetric rate for water and sewer at a consumption level of 25 cubic metres per month, for each province, the territories and for Canada overall. For Newfoundland & Labrador there were not enough responding municipalities to determine rates. The rate for Prince Edward Island            is $42.52. The rate for Nova Scotia is $51.45. The rate for New Brunswick is $64.14. The rate for Quebec is $26.35. The rate for Ontario is $53.60. The rate for Manitoba is $81.38. The rate for Saskatchewan is $66.60. The rate for Alberta is $58.47. The rate for British Columbia is $39.17. The rate for the territories is $67.73. The rate for Canada overall is $53.39.

Chart 8: Average Volumetric Rates for Water and Sewer (25 Cubic Metres per Month), by Municipal Size Group

This chart shows the average volumetric rate for water and sewer at a consumption level of 25 cubic metres per month, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. The rate in the under one thousand population size group is $60.50. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $59.37. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $59.06. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $63.06. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $55.12. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $50.47. The rate for Canada overall is $53.39.

Chart 9: Average Volumetric and Flat Rates for Water and Sewer at Average Consumption, by Province/Territory

This chart shows the average volumetric rate for water and sewer at the average consumption level, for each province, the territories and for Canada overall.
The rate for Newfoundland & Labrador is $39.89. The rate for Prince Edward Island is $36.49. The rate for Nova Scotia is $47.52. The rate for New Brunswick is $74.47. The rate for Quebec is $22.03. The rate for Ontario is $35.26. The rate for Manitoba is $48.54
Saskatchewan is $54.20. The rate for Alberta is $39.39. The rate for British Columbia is $41.63. The rate for the territories is $66.11. The rate for Canada overall is $37.55.

Chart 10: Average Volumetric and Flat Rates for Water and Sewer at Average Consumption, by Municipal Size Group

This chart shows the average volumetric rate for water and sewer at the average consumption level, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. The rate in the under one thousand population size group is $53.12. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $45.73. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $40.76. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $44.57. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $40.17. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $33.83. The rate for Canada overall is $37.55.

Chart 11: Average Flat Rates for Water and Sewer, by Province/Territory

This chart shows the average flat rate for water and sewer, for each province, the territories and for Canada overall. The rate for Newfoundland & Labrador is $42.29. The rate for Prince Edward Island is $41.32. The rate for Nova Scotia is $32.35. The rate for New Brunswick is $66.17. The rate for Quebec is $19.16. The rate for Ontario is $42.02. The rate for Manitoba is $51.59. The rate for Saskatchewan is $48.38. The rate for Alberta is $20.01. The rate for British Columbia is $57.01. The rate for the territories is $70.12. The rate for Canada overall is $36.13.

Chart 12: Average Flat Rates for Water and Sewer, by Municipal Size Group

This chart shows the average volumetric rate for water and sewer, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. The rate in the under one thousand population size group is $37.23. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $41.02. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $33.79. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $36.41. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $38.11. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $32.29. The rate for Canada overall is $36.13.

Chart 13: Comparison of Average Water Use Per Capita, Customers on Volumetric and Flat Rates, by Province/Territory

This chart shows the average water use of customers on volumetric rates and customers on non-volumetric rates, for each province, the territories and for Canada overall. In Newfoundland & Labrador there were not enough responding municipalities to determine water use of customers on volumetric rates. Customers on flat rates used 239 litres per capita per day. In Prince Edward Island, customers on volumetric rates used 164 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 242 litres per capita per day. In Nova Scotia, customers on volumetric rates used 287 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 644 litres per capita per day. In New Brunswick, customers on volumetric rates used 402 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 385 litres per capita per day. In Quebec, customers on volumetric rates used 289 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 377 litres per capita per day. In Ontario, customers on volumetric rates used 221 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 302 litres per capita per day. In Manitoba, customers on volumetric rates used 190 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 218 litres per capita per day. In Saskatchewan, customers on volumetric rates used 238 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 344 litres per capita per day. In Alberta, customers on volumetric rates used 209 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 246 litres per capita per day. In British Columbia, customers on volumetric rates used 330 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 383 litres per capita per day. In the territories, customers on volumetric rates used 497 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 511 litres per capita per day. For Canada overall, customers on volumetric rates used 238 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 361 litres per capita per day.

Chart 14: Comparison of Average Water Use Per Capita, Customers on Volumetric and Flat Rates, by Municipal Size Group

This chart shows the average water use of customers on volumetric rates and customers on non-volumetric rates, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. In the under one thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 355 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 554 litres per capita per day. In the one to two thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 342 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 433 litres per capita per day. In the two to five thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 299 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 485 litres per capita per day. In the five to fifty thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 280 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 355 litres per capita per day. In the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 253 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 345 litres per capita per day. In the over five hundred thousand population size group, customers on volumetric rates used 219 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 427 litres per capita per day. For Canada overall, customers on volumetric rates used 238 litres per capita per day, while customers on flat rates used 361 litres per capita per day.

Chart 15: Percent of Average Monthly Rate for Water and Sewer (Vol. and Flat Rates Combined) that is for Sewer

This chart shows the percent of the average monthly rate for water and sewer that is attributable to sewer charges, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. Both volumetric and flat rates have been used in this analysis. The chart shows the results at a consumption level of 10 cubic metres per month, 25 cubic metres per month, and 35 cubic metres per month. At 10 cubic metres per month, the percent of the total rate that is for sewer is 39% in the under one thousand population size group, 41% in the one to two thousand population size group, 43% in the two to five thousand population size group, 47% in the five to fifty thousand population size group, 48% in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, 51% in the over five hundred thousand population size group, 49% for Canada overall. At 25 cubic metres per month, the percent of the total rate that is for sewer is 36% in the under one thousand population size group, 39% in the one to two thousand population size group, 41% in the two to five thousand population size group, 46% in the five to fifty thousand population size group, 49% in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, 51% in the over five hundred thousand population size group, 49% for Canada overall. At 35 cubic metres per month, the percent of the total rate that is for sewer is 34% in the under one thousand population size group, 38% in the one to two thousand population size group, 40% in the two to five thousand population size group, 46% in the five to fifty thousand population size group, 49% in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, 50% in the over five hundred thousand population size group, 49% for Canada overall.

Chart 16: Average Water and Sewer Rates (Vol. & Flat Combined) at 25 Cubic Metres per Month

This chart shows the average water rate and the average sewer rate, at a consumption level of 25 cubic metres per month, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. Both volumetric and flat rates have been used in this analysis. In the under one thousand population size group, the rate for water is $33.37 and the rate for sewer is $17.88. In the one to two thousand population size group, the rate for water is $27.95 and the rate for sewer is $17.83. In the two to five thousand population size group, the rate for water is $29.32 and the rate for sewer is $17.45. In the five to fifty thousand population size group, the rate for water is $27.34 and the rate for sewer is $25.93. In the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group, the rate for water is $25.86 and the rate for sewer is $24.26. In the over five hundred thousand population size group, the rate for water is $24.45 and the rate for sewer is $26.86. For Canada overall, the rate for water is $25.62 and the rate for sewer is $25.40.

Chart 17: Commercial (Small – 1 inch Connection Max.) Water and Sewer Rates, Including Volumetric and Flat Rates, at Various Levels of Consumption

This chart shows the average commercial rates for water and sewer at a consumption level of 10 cubic metres per month, 35 cubic metres per month, and 100 cubic metres per month, for each municipal size group and for Canada overall. Both volumetric and flat rates have been used in this analysis. At 10 cubic metres per month, the rate in the under one thousand population size group is $40.82. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $43.30. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $39.81. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $43.94. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $32.57. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $24.74. The rate for Canada overall is $30.41. At 35 cubic metres per month, the rate in the under one thousand population size group is $63.17. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $61.83. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $60.36. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $72.18. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $73.28. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $75.37. The rate for Canada overall is $73.89. At 100 cubic metres per month, the rate in the under one thousand population size group is $129.26. The rate in the one to two thousand population size group is $119.71. The rate in the two to five thousand population size group is $124.35. The rate in the five to fifty thousand population size group is $155.13. The rate in the fifty to five hundred thousand population size group is $182.97. The rate in the over five hundred thousand population size group is $205.98. The rate for Canada overall is $189.27.

Chart 18: Commercial (Small – 1 inch Connection Max.) Water and Sewer Rates, Including Volumetric and Flat Rates, at Various Levels of Consumption, 1991-2009

This chart shows the change in average commercial rates for water and sewer, at a consumption level of 10 cubic metres per month, 35 cubic metres per month, and 100 cubic metres per month, from 1991 to 2009. Both volumetric and flat rates have been used in this analysis. At 10 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $28.40 in 1991, $30.02 in 1994, $31.11 in 1996, $32.05 in 1999, $37.03 in 2001, $32.22 in 2004, $33.54 in 2006 and $30.41 in 2009. At 35 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $39.74 in 1991, $42.87 in 1994, $44.12 in 1996, $45.32 in 1999, $50.81 in 2001, $53.95 in 2004, $49.13 in 2006 and $73.89 in 2009. At 100 cubic metres per month, the average rate for water and sewer was $73.42 in 1991, $81.07 in 1994, $82.77 in 1996, $85.28 in 1999, $90.29 in 2001, $140.65 in 2004, $95.03 in 2006 and $189.27 in 2009.

Chart 19: Rates of Use of Selected Customer-Oriented Water Conservation Measures

This chart shows the percent of the population that is served various customer-oriented water conservation measures and the percent of municipalities that have these same customer-oriented water conservation measures. Automated meter reading applies to 24% of the population and 67% of municipalities. Summer surcharge water rates applies to 3% of the population and 2% of municipalities. Water conservation information with billing applies to 27% of the population and 45% of municipalities. Water use bylaws and fines applies to 56% of the population and 56% of municipalities. Rebates and installation of efficient appliances and fixtures applies to 13% of the population and 40% of municipalities. Customer water audits applies to 13% of the population and 30% of municipalities. Voluntary measures and restrictions applies to 31% of the population and 32% of municipalities. Advertising applies to 37% of the population and 53% of municipalities.

Chart 20: Rates of Use of Selected Municipal-Level Water Conservation Measures

This chart shows the percent of the population that is served various municipal-level water conservation measures and the percent of municipalities that have these same municipal-level water conservation measures. Water efficiency plan applies to 15% of the population and 54% of municipalities. Water conservation target applies to 5% of the population and 39% of municipalities. Alternative sources of "new" water applies to 9% of the population and 17% of municipalities. Wastewater reclamation or reuse applies to 3% of the population and 4% of municipalities. Stormwater reclamation or reuse applies to 3% of the population and 13% of municipalities. System leak detection and repair applies to 51% of the population and 75% of municipalities.