The rising density of residential and commercial sectors in Edmonton, Calgary and surrounding areas also makes water a scarce and highly valued resource. Whilst residents’ only concern might be a sizeable water bill, commercial establishments also focus on limited water availability, the cost of maintaining water systems, and the impact on the environment.
Municipalities and commercial organizations are expected to have a detailed understanding of their water usage. Firstly, it will allow them to measure, monitor and plan for efficient water use. Secondly, businesses that track the cost and usage of water do not only reduce their water bills, but also for achieve consistency in using local water resources.
Commercial Water Usage
According to Edmonton’s Water Supply by EPCOR research, “approximately 90% of commercial usage is indoor usage. The factors affecting commercial usage include: the type of industry; economic situation; customer behaviour and efficiency of processes; best management practices; retrofits; once-through cooling/chilling units; and water rates.”
Based on the same research, the Edmonton Socio-Economic Outlook reported that projects which increase total commercial water consumption in the region are:
- Oil and gas plants
- Hydrogen production plant
- Meat packaging plant
- International airport
- Addition or expansion of hospital facilities
- Multi-purpose recreation centers
At the same time, water consumption in Alberta varies by region. For instance, Athabasca River Basin is home to the oil sand region (where oil and gas water usage is 9.6%), while South Saskatchewan Riven Basin is home to the largest irrigated (44.3%) area in Canada, including cooling (16.5%), municipal use (12.5%) and commercial use (7.1%).
Understanding Your Water Bill
The most common measurement for water consumption is calculated as total per capita water use. Based on a per day basis, it covers the total volume of water delivered through water distribution, divided by population served and is presented in l/c/d (liters per capita per day).
However, it is only a generalized indication of water usage. Businesses should also expect to have a higher total per capita water usage if they offer water-intensive industrial or commercial operations.
While it might be helpful to contact your local water utility provider for a complete explanation of a water bill (if you need an in-depth look at it), most water bills in Alberta are based on two main factors: a variable amount (based on the amount of water consumed) and a fixed fee component. (Besides, three main categories that comprise a water bill are water, wastewater, and drainage.)
Fixed fees include:
- Monthly water service: covers the cost and maintenance of a water meter (including the cost of reading the meter monthly).
- Monthly wastewater service: covers the wastewater treatment services to treat sanitary sewer water.
- Stormwater charges: cover collecting the unmetered water (such as melted snow or rainwater) that flows off a property into the sewer system.
- Monthly drainage service: covers the cost of maintaining the sanitary sewer.
Variable fees include:
- Cost of water: based on water consumption and covers the cost of treating, pumping and delivering water to a commercial establishment.
- Wastewater charge: based on the amount of water consumed by a business each month.
- Sanitary drainage charges are based on the cost and amount of treating and collecting the wastewater consumed by a business each month.
Commercial Water Rates
According to EPCOR in 2025, commercial water rates are:
Commercial Consumption Charge (per m3):
0 m3 – 25.0 m3: $1,9052 per m3
25.1 m3 – 100.0 m3: 1,9052 per m3
100.1 m3 – 1000.0 m3: $1,7568 per m3
1000.1 m3 – 5000.0 m3: $1.3907 per m3
Over 5000.0 m3 $1.1194 per m3
Fixed Monthly Service Charge by Meter Size (2025 Rate):
15mm (5/8”): $16.19
20mm (¾”): $24.30
25mm (1”): $40.49
40mm (1 ½”): $80.97
50mm (2”): $129.55
75mm (3”): $242.92
100mm (4”): $404.88
150mm (6”): $809.73
200mm (8”): $1,295.58
250mm (10”): $1,862.40
300mm (12”): $2,733.68
Based on our recent research, where we compared commercial water rates in Canada per province, Alberta rates are showing the following numbers:
Edmonton:
Effective April 1st, 2025, these are the commercial water rates
Commercial Consumption Charge (per m3)
- 0 m3 – 25.0 m3 – $1.9052 per m3
- 25.1 m3 – 100.0 m3 – $1.9052 per m3
- 100.1 m3 – 1000.0 m3 – $1.7568 per m3
- 1000.1 m3 – 5000.0 m3 – $1.3907 per m3
- Over 5000.0 m3 – $1.194 per m3
The fixed monthly charges by meter size for commercial businesses are:
15mm – $16.19
20mm – $24.30
25mm – $40.49
40mm – $80.97
50mm – $129.55
75mm – 242.92
100mm – $404.88
150mm – $809.73
200mm – $1,295.58
250mm – $1,862.40
300mm – $2,733.68
Calgary:
In Calgary, business rates are determined by the size of their water meter, which is separated into two customer groups with specific rates and service charges for the meter sizes within the classes:
- Regular meter customers – those with meters smaller than 75mm.
- Large meter customers – those with meters 75mm or larger.
Red Deer:
As of January 1st, 2025, every in-city customer will pay for the water supplied to them, listed in cubic meters. A monthly fixed charge will be determined by the size of the water meter installed.
Water meter size and the fixed monthly charges are as follows:
16mm – $18.70
19mm – $26.95
25mm – $36.50
38mm – $72.50
50mm – $163.50
75mm – $298.00
100mm – $675.00
150mm – $1,293.00
200mm – $2,268.00
250mm – $4,047.00
Why Reduce Your Water Usage
Just as mentioned at the beginning, consuming water responsibly helps to reduce a water bill, and also contribute to a community’s water conservation efforts.
Reducing water usage offers some main benefits for a business, such as saving energy required for water heating and pumping, lowering operating costs, and overall improving their reputation by demonstrating responsible water consumption.
For instance, in Top Water-Consuming Industries: Why They Use So Much and How to Reduce It, we break down how to save on water costs in energy, meat, beverage, textile and other industries.
- Using dry cooling technologies for thermal power generation.
- Developing Water-free fracking techniques to reduce water consumption.
- Recycling and reuse of wastewater in energy production.
- Water-efficient technologies.
- Automated monitoring systems.
We explore water charges deeper in Factors That Affect Water Rates in Canada helping businesses to understand factors that affect water rates, reduce the energy and water consumption, and overall help to improve the handling of provincial water resources.
Reviewing commercial utility options and costs
Looking to reduce your water costs? Check our Water Hub, which covers a wide range of water efficiency tips for both homes and businesses. EnergyRates.ca can also help you review and reduce your utility costs beyond water usage. Our experienced team of energy consultants can support you in comparing plans for your commercial, large commercial or industrial operations.
In addition to lower bills, EnergyRates.ca can also help businesses with corporate sustainability solutions, including Carbon Accounting, RECs and Carbon Offsets, and VPPA information.
Contact us or call us at 1-855-635-9608 for a custom quote based on your energy needs.
