The 2025 Utility Operating and Capital Budget was adopted by Mayor and Council at the November 4, 2025, Regular Council Meeting. This adoption aligns with the requirements outlined in Section 242 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), which mandates that each council adopt an operating budget for every calendar year.

Alongside the 2025 Utility Operating Budget, Administration has developed a comprehensive 4-Year Utility Operating Financial Plan for informational purposes and a 10-year Utility Capital Plan This plan serves as a framework for the annual operating budgets over the next three years, ensuring compliance with provincial and federal regulations related to multi-year financial planning. This plan does not authorize future operations; only the annual Operating Budget holds such authority.

The 4-Year Financial Plans have been meticulously prepared for Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste/Recycling based on various assumptions that will be updated annually as new information becomes available. The Town’s approach follows a User-Pay business model to ensure that utility operations are self-funded without relying on general tax subsidies. All operating budgets are balanced, with any surplus allocated to reserves for future capital needs and to minimize financing requirements.

Water Budget 

• With an increase of 5%, an average residential user (using 20 cubic meters a month) will see an increase of $1 in the user fee and $2.30 in consumption.
• The estimated impact would be $3.30/month. 

Wastewater Budget 

• With an increase of 6% in user fees for 2025, an average residential user will see an increase of $2.00 monthly in the user fee and $2.45 for the consumption. 
• The estimated impact would be $4.45 monthly. 

Solid Waste & Recycling Budget 

• The solid waste fee will increase by one dollar monthly from $8.24 to $9.24.
• The recycling fee will Increase by $0.25 monthly from $3.09 to $3.34. 

Utility Capital Budget Overview 

Total project requirements for Water and Wastewater are projected as follows:

• Water: $1.83 million, with reserve balances at $5.69 million. 
• Wastewater: $1.93 million, with reserve balances at $3.03 million. 

Of the $1.83 million capital program, $907,000.00 will be spent on new capital in 2025, with the remaining $947,000 completing 2024 projects. For wastewater, $637,000 will be spent on new capital in 2025, with $1.311 million in capital carryover from 2024.

Paper-Based Statement Fee 

• Effective January 1, 2025, all paper-based monthly billing will be charged $2.50 per billing cycle per account.
• Account holders are reminded that electronic/paperless billing has been available since 2015. If users require assistance to set this up either e-billing or online account, please contact utilities@drumheller.ca, 403-823-1302 or visit drumheller.ca/live/taxes-payments/online-services-payments.

The approved 2025 Utility Operating and Capital Budgets will enable the Town of Drumheller to effectively manage essential services and projects that cater to the needs of its residents and regional users. We encourage community members to stay informed and engaged as we work together to sustain and enhance our Town’s utilities.

Both the water and wastewater rates are based on the utility rate model adopted in 2022. Scheduled annual fee increases aim to bring the utilities into self-sufficiency to aid in building reserves to replace facilities and infrastructure.