Water & Wastewater

RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES AND TIER CHANGES FOR 2020

The Town’s residential water consumption rates and tier thresholds are changing January 1, 2020, including a base rate increase of $1.21.

All homes are charged a monthly base rate, then a water consumption charge. Council approved a base rate increase from $6.44 to $7.65 starting in January 2020.

Cochrane’s consumption rates are tiered: the more you consume, the higher the rate. Households that use 15 cubic metres (m3) or less of water per month will not be further affected, as the 2020 consumption rate for the first tier remains unchanged from 2019.

Starting in January, the second-tier rate starts at 15m3; the third tier starts at 30m3 — thresholds that better align with the Town’s water conservation strategy. Rates for both tiers are increasing by 5%. See table below for more details.

If we work together to reduce our overall water use, we will help defer costs for future infrastructure, such as a new water treatment plant and an additional water licence to meet demand.

Town staff are available to help you reduce your monthly water use, including tracking down potential water leaks. For information and tips on how to reduce your water consumption, visit cochrane.ca/Water or call 403-851-2280.

To help residents reduce their water consumption, the Town promotes household and outdoor water conservation with year-round time-of-day watering regulations and offers rebates on the purchase of high-efficiency toilets and washing machines. Find out more: cochrane.ca/WaterConservation

Water Rates and Tiers Table


General information

Ten full-time staff work around the clock to make sure Cochrane’s water tastes delicious and exceeds provincial requirements for safety. They also oversee Cochrane’s water distribution and metering. Used water is collected in the wastewater collection system where it is pumped to Calgary for treatment.

Be sure to see current water rates online.

Fun Facts

  • Cochrane does not add fluoride to our water. There is a natural fluoride ion of 0.12mg/L in the Bow River source water.
  • Hardness of water is 180 ppm of water (10 - 11 grains per gallon).
  • On our highest water demand day in 2006, we used 12.1 million litres of water (an average of 880 litres per person).
  • Our water treatment plant can treat 22 million litres of water per day.
  • Since the water conservation bylaw was approved in 2008, Cochranites have reduced their average water consumption approximately 15%.
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