Understanding Water Usage
Water usage will vary depending on factors such as usage, occupancy level, and time of year.
Examples of increased water usage
- Malfunctioning toilet(s)
- Seasonal watering of trees, lawn and/or garden which is amplified when automated irrigation systems, sprinklers or hoses are on too long and at the wrong time of day.
- Filling a hot tub, swimming pool, and/or building a backyard hockey rink.
- Leaky faucets and outside hose bibs
- Water-intensive appliance(s) or equipment (e.g., water softener, humidifier and/or air conditioner) that use more water at certain times of the year.
- Increased occupancy
- Long showers or filling a bathtub frequently
- Increased business, hours of operation, or means of production.
Water and wastewater treatment charges are calculated on actual water volume recorded passing through the water meter.
Faulty water meters slow down over time, record less consumption, and eventually can stop and record no consumption at all. Water meters do not speed up, record excessive usage and then return to normal.
If water consumption has increased, consider whether your household’s water use has changed and check inside and outside for leaks.
The Financial Impact of Leaks
If a leak goes undetected, there can be a significant financial impact. The City of St. Albert charges per cubic meter (m³) or 1,000 litres of water, and the following chart provides an example of the financial impact of different severities of a toilet malfunction:
| Type of Leak | Volume of wasted water* | Increased cost on monthly utility bill |
|---|---|---|
Small leak e.g. chain tangled in tank | 240 L/day (10L/hour) or 7 m³ /month | $30.53 |
Medium leak e.g. improper float position, flapper not sealing properly | 500-2,400 L/day (20-100L/hour) or 15–72 m³ /month | $65.43 - $314.06 |
Large leak e.g. flapper vale stuck wide open | 24,000 L/day (1,000L/hour) or 720 m³ /month | $3,140.64 |
* Volume can vary depending on the type of toilet and type of leak.
** Estimate based on applicable 2024 water & wastewater treatment rates for St. Albert.
As per Water Bylaw 5/2001 20(2)(a), customers are required to pay for water that has been recorded by the water meter.
What to do if your water bill is higher than normal?
- Determine if your household habits have changed recently.
- Determine if there are any leaks in your home. If a leak is found, repair it as soon as possible. If you require assistance, speak to your local hardware store or plumber.
- Contact Utility Services at 780-459-1520, Option 2 or by email with questions about water consumption.
- Your water meter can also be tested for accuracy; however, there is a $225.00 charge* if the water meter is determined to be recording correctly.
* The charge will be refunded if the water meter records consumption at a level greater than 105% or less than 95% of the measured volume of water used in the test.Related Pages
Last edited: April 17, 2024