Water & Wastewater

Utilities: Municipal Water

Setting up Utilities

The Town is the utility provider for water and wastewater in Cardston, but utility account management and billing is provided through Enmax. For water connections, or for changing utilities over to a new owner or tenant, call Enmax toll free at 310-2010.

To shut off the water at your property or for problems with water or sewer call the Town office at 403-653-3366 or our after hours emergency number 403-653-5035.

Water Treatment Facilities

Cardston's Municipal Water Treatment Facility in the hill southwest of Town.

Potable Water

The Town of Cardston water treatment facility was built in 1987 with further upgrades in 2003. Continual upgrades are made to maintain an excellent quality of drinking water for the Town. The Town of Cardston also provides water to nearby communities in Cardston County and on the Blood Reserve.

Raw water is obtained primarily from two surface water sources: The St. Mary's River and Lee Creek. Water can also be drawn from the Leavitt Irrigation District when it is available, which is primarily used for irrigation purposes, but can also be treated in emergencies.

There are two raw water storage reservoirs adjacent to the water treatment plant with a combined storage capacity of 293,000m3; this is approximately three months worth of raw water storage.

Wastewater

Cardston has a recently updated Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrades to our plant improved performance of our infrastructure and mitigated damages to our surrounding environment. In order to ensure that our sewer system is well maintained and is self sufficient, the rates outlined in the most recent utilities bylaw are charged to all locations connected to the system.

Water Loss

Commercial Water Loss Factor
A water loss factor may be applied to non-residential customers that have significant water loss. Water loss is defined as incoming metered water that is diverted away from the town’s sewer system, and therefore does not get treated. For example, commercial customers with significant irrigation or water consumed in a product or manufacturing process may qualify for a water loss factor. Customers that have significant water loss can make application to the town for consideration of a water loss factor. The customer will be required to prove significant water loss.

Institutional Water Loss Factor
A water loss factor may be applied to Institutional customers that have significant use of metered water for irrigation purposes. Where there is significant irrigation use, billing will be capped at the maximum of average winter water consumption from November 1st to March 31st of the previous year. In cases where there is no historical data, average winter consumption will be based on similar properties or other relevant measures.

Utility Rates: Water

For Current water utility rates, refer to the most recent amendment of Town of Cardston Bylaw #1582, The Town of Cardston Utility Rates Bylaw, current to amendment #1582I.

In Town and Blood Reserve

Residential Water Rates

Residential

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$28.10

$28.70

$29.30

$29.90

Consumption

   $1.39

$1.42

$1.45

$1.48

Multi unit

Flat Rate – 2 Units

$42.15

$43.00

$43.90

$44.80

Flat Rate per Additional Unit

$15.05

$15.30

$15.60

$15.90

Consumption

$1.39

$1.42

$1.45

$1.48

No Meter

Flat Rate

$125.80

$130.00

$130.00

$130.00

Commercial and Industrial Water Rates

Commercial and Industrial

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$28.10

$28.70

$29.30

$29.90

Consumption

   $1.39

$1.42

$1.45

$1.48

No Meter

 

$125.80

$130.00

$130.00

$130.00

Institutional Water Rates

Institutional

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$28.10

$35.00

$45.00

$55.00

Consumption

 $1.47

$1.50

$1.53

$1.56

Other Water Rates

Other

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Water Filling Station

Metered Rate

$6.00

$6.20

$6.40

$6.60

Community Irrigation Line

Per acre per year

$22.00

$24.00

$26.00

$28.00

Minimum parcel charge per year

$350.00

$360.00

$370.00

$380.00

Stock Water

Flat Rate

$28.10

$28.70

$29.30

$29.90

Consumption

   $1.39

$1.42

$1.45

$1.48

No Meter

$125.80

$130.00

$130.00

$130.00

Out of Town

Please note that where Cardston County supplies water license and infrastructure for residential connections, the consumption rate is the same as for Out of Town rural residential metered.

Out of Town Rural Residential Water Rates

Rural Residential

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$56.20

$57.40

$58.60

$59.80

Consumption

$2.51*

$1.84

$1.88

$1.92

No Meter

 

$251.60

$260.00

$260.00

$260.00

*As per Amendment 'A' to the Master Water Treatment & Services Agreement of April 12, 2021 between Cardston County and Town of Cardston.

Out of Town Commercial and Industrial Water Rates

Commercial and Industrial

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$56.20

$57.40

$58.60

$59.80

Consumption

$1.80

$1.84

$1.88

$1.92

Other Out of Town Water Rates 

Other

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Stock Water

Flat Rate

$56.20

$57.40

$58.60

$59.80

Consumption

$1.80

$1.84

$1.88

$1.92

No Meter

$251.60

$260.00

$260.00

$260.00

Rural Raw Water

Flat Rate

$28.10

$28.70

$29.30

$29.90

Consumption

$0.75

$0.77

$0.79

$0.81

Sewer Rates

Residential Sewer Rates

Residential

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

In Town

Metered

$54.00

$56.00

$58.60

$59.80

Blood Reserve

Metered

$54.00

$56.00

$58.60

$59.80

No Meter

$70.50

$74.00

$76.00

$78.00

Rural

Metered

$81.00

$85.00

$88.00

$91.00

Multi Unit Structure

Flat Rate (2 Units)

$81.00

$85.00

$88.00

$91.00

Flat Rate per Additional Unit

$27.00

$29.00

$30.00

$31.00

Consumption

$0.46

$0.48

$0.50

$0.52

Commercial and Industrial Sewer Rates

Commercial and Industrial[1]

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$54.00

$56.00

$58.00

$60.00

Consumption (20 - 50 m3)

$1.95

$2.00

$2.05

$2.10

Consumption (Over 50 m3)

$1.75

$1.80

$1.85

$1.90

No Meter

 

$130.00

$130.00

$130.00

$130.00

Institutional Sewer Rates

Institutional[2]

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Metered

Flat Rate

$54.00

$58.00

$60.00

$62.00

Consumption (20 - 50 m3)

$2.35

$2.40

$2.45

$2.50

Consumption (Over 50 m3)

$2.00

$2.04

$2.08

$2.12

Other Sewer Rates

Other

Type

2024

2025

2026

2027

Hauled Wastewater

Volume Charge

$12.70

$12.95

$13.21

$13.47

 

[1] Commercial Water Loss Factor: A water loss factor may be applied to non-residential customers that have significant water loss. Water loss is defined as incoming metered water that is diverted away from the town’s sewer system, and therefore does not get treated. For example, commercial customers with significant irrigation or water consumed in a product or manufacturing process may qualify for a water loss factor. Customers that have significant water loss can make application to the town for consideration of a water loss factor. The customer will be required to prove significant water loss.

[2] Institutional Water Loss Factor: A water loss factor may be applied to Institutional customers that have significant use of metered water for irrigation purposes. Where there is significant irrigation use, billing will be capped at the maximum of average winter consumption from November 1st to March 31st of the previous year. In cases where there is no historical data, average winter consumption will be based on similar properties or other relevant measures.

Droughts and Water Emergencies

Water Rationing Bylaw and Policy

The Town may implement water restrictions when Alberta Environment’s Water Supply Outlook Report shows that the lower value of the “Probable Range as Percent of Average” (%avg) of the water supply for the southern tributaries is less than 70% (see "Water Supply" from the menu of Alberta River Basins app).

The Town of Cardston draws water from the following tributaries from the Oldman River Basin into the reservoirs on the hill west of Town:

  • St Mary's River (primary)
  • Lee Creek (secondary)
  • Belly River (when needed/available - via Leavitt Irrigation District)

The Town of Cardston Water Rationing Bylaw (Bylaw 1637) defines three levels of watering restrictions based on the current %-avg. Town Policy (Policy GN-070 - Water Shortage Response Plan Policy) specifies the triggering criteria for each level.

Level 1 - Voluntary Rationing (%avg < 70)

  • Voluntary water rationing encouraged by the Town
  • Town provides water conservation education material to the public (See below on this page)

Level 2 - Mandatory Rationing (%avg < 60)

  • Outside watering prohibited except on specific days during times specified below*:
    • lawn or garden using sprinkler or hose
    • filling swimming pools or hot tubs
    • washing vehicles or boats
    • washing house, driveway or sidewalk

*Between 6:00 AM and 8:00AM or 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM the following residents and businesses may water for the purposes listed above on days specified below: (Example: 555 5th St would be permitted to water on Fridays between 6 & 8AM or 8 & 10PM)

 House Numbers Large Users Permitted Day for Watering
0-199
  • Blood Reserve residents
  • Provincial Buildings
  • Tourist Information Buildings
  • Museums
Monday
200-299
  • Religious Facilities
Tuesday
300-399
  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Town Properties
Wednesday
400-499
  • Temple
Thurdsay
500-599
  • Seniors Assisted Living Facilities
Friday
600+
  • Cardston County Residents
Saturday
No Watering on Sundays

Level 3 - Emergency Rationing (%avg < 50)

  • Non-Essential Watering is prohibited - Any use of water that is done for a purpose other than drinking, cooking, dish washing, indoor cleaning, and indoor bathing or showering is considered non-essential. 

Municipal Alerts (Water Emergencies)

Message Express

The Town will issue a municipal alert to all phone number registered in the Cardston Regional Message Express Municipal Alert database.

Express message is an automated mass notification system for municipalities to notify residents of any emergency with just one message and one click. Alerts, reminders, and notifications are sent instantly to predetermined groups of people by text, email, or automated calls.

Currently, the system is populated with the most up-to-date 411 information for the Town. To stay informed of local emergencies, and other important notifications from the Town of Cardston, please register by clicking the button below.

Message Express is part of a regional Emergency Management program in partnership with the County and other municipalities in the County. Please be certain to check the box to receive messages from the Town of Cardston Information Group when filling the form.

Register for Notifications