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By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Meadow Lake households face higher water and sewer bills in 2026

Sep 29, 2025 | 12:11 PM

Residents in Meadow Lake will see higher utility bills starting Jan. 1 after city council passed a bylaw this month to raise water and sewer rates for 2026.

Under the changes, the quarterly base charge for water will rise to $112.22, with consumption billed at $3.11 per cubic metre.

Sewer rates will also increase, with a $74.81 base charge for full users and $54.81 for light users, plus $1.24 per cubic metre.

An infrastructure levy of $25 per quarter — first introduced in 2023 to help cover the cost of replacing and upgrading water and sewer systems — will also remain in place next year.

For an household using 32 cubic metres of water every three months — in line with the provincial average — the total bill will increase to $326.37 per quarter in 2026, up from $307.14 in 2025.

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The hikes amount to about five per cent on base rates and eight per cent on consumption, part of a long-term effort by council to make the utility system self-funded. Since 2015, Meadow Lake has been phasing in annual increases to cover the full cost of providing water and sewer services, instead of subsidizing them with property taxes.

While the city had expected to reach cost recovery by 2026, that goal has now been pushed back.

A new water plant operated by Flying Dust First Nation is expected to open at the start of next year, reducing the city’s revenues. In addition, SaskWater’s wholesale rates are scheduled to be renegotiated in 2027 and are projected to rise by two per cent annually.

City administration now estimates full cost recovery will not be reached until 2029.

The adjustments approved by council are tied into Meadow Lake’s 2026 operating budget, which will be finalized in November. The city says notice of the increases will be sent to the public ahead of the new year.

To view the full list of rates, click here to open the council agenda and scroll down to 2026 Water and Sewer Rates.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com