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Room 400 - 330 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C4
www.pubmanitoba.ca
330, avenue Portage, pièce 400
Winnipeg (Manitoba) Canada R3C 0C4
www.pubmanitoba.ca
Order No. 76/25
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF HANOVER
KLEEFELD WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY
REVISED WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025, JANUARY 1, 2026, JANUARY 1, 2027, AND
JANUARY 1, 2028
MAY 23, 2025
BEFORE: Irene Hamilton, K.C., Panel Chair
Kim Sharman, Panel Member
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 2 of 20
Table of Contents
1.0
Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 3
2.0
Background .............................................................................................................. 4
Water Supply and Distribution ................................................................................. 4
Wastewater Collection and Treatment ..................................................................... 4
Unaccounted for Water ............................................................................................ 4
3.0
Application ................................................................................................................ 5
Contingency Allowance and Utility Reserves ........................................................... 7
Working Capital Surplus/Deficit ............................................................................... 7
Cost Allocation Methodology ................................................................................... 8
4.0
Board Findings ....................................................................................................... 11
5.0
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: .......................................................................... 12
SCHEDULE A ........................................................................................................ 14
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 3 of 20
1.0 Executive Summary
By this Order, the Public Utilities Board (Board) approves the requested water and
wastewater rates for the Rural Municipality of Hanover (RM), Kleefeld Water and
Wastewater Utility (Utility) and varies the effective dates to July 1, 2025, January 1, 2026,
January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028.
The Board approves rates as follows:
Current
Rates
July 1,
2025
January 1,
2026
January 1,
2027
January 1,
2028
Quarterly Service Charge
$18.01
$15.94
$13.87
$11.80
$9.72
Water (per 1,000 gallons)
$9.31
$9.81
$10.31
$10.81
$11.29
Wastewater (per 1,000 gallons)
$1.37
$1.69
$2.01
$2.33
$2.64
Minimum Quarterly Charge*
$50.05
$50.44
$50.83
$51.22
$51.51
Minimum Quarterly Charge -
Unmetered Wastewater Only**
$31.71
$29.80
$30.35
$30.91
$31.37
Hydrant Rental
$135.00 $150.00
$150.00
$150.00
$150.00
Meter Testing
$50.00 $100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
*Based on 3,000 gallons
**Current rate based on 10,000 gallons. Approved rates based on 8,200 gallons
Details of other rates may be found in the attached Schedule A.
Note - The RM operates five separate utilities. This Order pertains to the application and
rates for the Kleefeld Water and Wastewater Utility only. The allocation of costs among
the five utilities is discussed in the Cost Allocation Methodology section of this Order below.
Rationale for the Board's decisions may be found under the heading Board Findings below.
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 4 of 20
2.0 Background
The RM operates a water and wastewater utility, servicing 541 water and wastewater, five
water only, and 32 wastewater only customers (or a total of 578 customers). Rates were
last approved for the Utility in 2019 in Board Order No. 171/19, effective January 1, 2020
with the last rates coming into effect January 1, 2023.
Water Supply and Distribution
Water sources include one main well and a back-up well. There is one storage reservoir
completed in 2011 at cost of $1,500,000. Water is treated by sodium hypochlorite as well
as two ultraviolet (UV) reactors installed in 2020.
Water lines were installed in the 1960s and have been expanded periodically since.
Additional water distribution lines were added in 2013 at cost of $470,000 and 2023 at cost
of $650,000.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
The wastewater system is a low-pressure system with one lift station, lines ranging from 2"
to 8", and gravity using 8" lines. Wastewater lines were installed in the 1960s and have
been expanded periodically since.
The RM advises, as two new developments to the North and West of the community come
online, the lagoon will near capacity. The ongoing Regional Wastewater System Project is
planned to address the forecasted capacity limitation.
Unaccounted for Water
The acceptable percentage of unaccounted for water is 10% based on industry standards.
If the percentage is above this amount, the applicant is to explain why and provide a plan
to remedy.
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 5 of 20
The RM's rate study reports unaccounted for water of 9.2% as of 2022, which is less than
the acceptable percentage.
3.0 Application
On May 22, 2024, the RM applied for revised water and wastewater rates for the Utility.
A Public Notice of Application was issued on May 28, 2024 allowing for any questions or
comments with respect to the proposed rate increases to the Board and/or the RM on or
before July 12, 2024. There were no responses to the Notice.
When reviewing an application the Board can either: hold a public hearing at which the
applicant can present its case and customers can present their concerns; or where it is
deemed to be in the best interests of a utility and its customers, the Board can review the
application using a paper review process without holding a public hearing. The paper
review process considers all written materials submitted by the Utility and the public, as
well as any information requests and responses between the Board and the Utility. This
process may reduce regulatory costs to the Utility.
A public hearing process allows the Utility and the public the opportunity to review the
application and address any concerns with the Board present.
Whenever reasonable, the Board will review the application using a paper review process,
which saves the cost of a public hearing process. The Board has chosen a paper review
process for the RM's application.
The RM included the following expenditure forecast and projections in its application that
include an annual inflation rate of 3.0% in some of the calculations:
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 6 of 20
Schedule of Utility Rate Requirements
Rural Municipality of Hanover - Kleefeld Water and Wastewater Utility
2025 to 2028 Budget Forecasts ($)
2025
2026
2027
2028
Forecast
General
Expenses
Administration
21,796
22,450
23,123
23,817
Billing and Collection
1,384
1,426
1,469
1,513
Total General Expenses
23,180
23,876
24,592
25,330
Revenue
Penalties
2,855
2,855
2,855
2,855
Total General Revenue
2,855
2,855
2,855
2,855
Net Costs General
20,325
21,021
21,737
22,475
Water
Expenses
Purification and Treatment
70,031
72,132
74,296
76,524
Transmission and Distribution
17,422
17,945
18,483
19,038
Connection Costs
1,958
2,017
2,078
2,140
Amortization
116,251
116,251
116,251
116,251
Interest on Long-Term Debt
2,586
-
-
-
Reserves
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
Contingency
9,770
9,770
9,770
9,770
Total Water Expenses
260,018
260,115
262,878
265,723
Revenue
Hydrant Rentals
10,350
10,350
10,350
10,350
Amortization of Capital Grants
36,618
36,618
36,618
36,618
Taxation Revenue
106,269
-
-
-
Total Water Revenue
153,237
46,968
46,968
46,968
Net Costs Water
106,781
213,147
215,910
218,755
Wastewater
Expenses
Collection System
1,435
1,478
1,523
1,568
Lift Station
6,972
7,181
7,397
7,619
Treatment and Disposal
31,954
32,913
33,900
34,917
Amortization
50,003
50,003
50,003
45,953
Interest on Long-Term Debt
2,065
-
-
-
Reserves
18,000
18,000
18,000
18,000
Contingency
4,410
4,410
4,410
4,410
Total Wastewater Expenses
114,839
113,985
115,233
112,467
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 7 of 20
The proposed Utility rate increases are primarily to account for inflation and expiration of
property tax revenues.
Contingency Allowance and Utility Reserves
As per the Board's Water and Wastewater Rate Application Guidelines, a yearly allowance
equal to 10% of the variable operating costs is recommended for a contingency allowance.
The RM has included a contingency allowance of $9,770 per year for water and $4,410 for
wastewater or at total contingency allowance of $14,181 per year in its forecast.
The RM has included a reserve allowance of $42,000 per year for water and $18,000 per
year for wastewater or a total reserve allowance of $60,000 per year in its forecast. The
reserve allocation is to continue building funds at a modest rate to reduce funding
requirements from other sources for the ongoing Regional Wastewater System Project.
Working Capital Surplus/Deficit
Board Order No. 93/09 established that utilities should maintain a minimum working capital
surplus, in an amount equal to 20% of annual expenses. The working capital surplus/deficit
is defined as the Utility fund balance, excluding any capital related items plus Utility
reserves.
Revenue
Amortization of Capital Grants
52,829
52,829
52,829
52,829
Taxation Revenue
84,862
-
-
-
Lagoon Tipping Fees
6,525
6,525
6,525
6,525
Total Wastewater Revenue
144,216
59,354
59,354
59,354
Net Costs Wastewater
(29,377)
54,631
55,879
53,113
Net Operating Costs
97,729
288,799
293,526
294,343
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 8 of 20
As per the 2023 Audited Financial Statements, the most recent information available, the
working capital surplus for the Utility at December 31, 2023 was:
2023
Utility Fund Surplus/Deficit
$3,637,166
Deduct: Tangible Capital Assets
(3,941,722)
Add: Asset Retirement Obligation
-
Add: Long-Term Debt
366,915
Add: Utility Reserve
837,454
Equals Working Capital Surplus (Deficit)
$899,813
Operating Expenses
317,561
20% of Operating Expenses (Target)
$63,512
The Utility meets the Board minimum working capital surplus of 20%.
Cost Allocation Methodology
The Board requires all municipal governments to review the costs shared between its
general operations and the Utility, and to allocate appropriate and reasonable costs to the
Utility, based on a policy known as a Cost Allocation Methodology. This allocation must be
submitted to the Board for approval and cannot be changed without receiving approval
from the Board. The Board's requirements regarding cost allocation methodologies can be
found in Board Order No. 93/09.
The RM is not requesting any changes from the cost allocation methodology approved in
Board Order No. 87/17 as follows:
The RM is using the three-year rolling average numbers for the calculation of both the total
shared overhead and proportional allocation for each utility to help lessen to impact of
temporary annual fluctuations and addresses the Board's concern in Order No. 57/17.
The allocation expense for each utility is calculated each year based on the proposed
methodology and incorporated into the annual planning and budgeting process. The RM
states "This plan has the advantages of being equitable, not overly sensitive to temporary
expense fluctuations, easy to administer, and a good approximation of the 'true' cost of
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 9 of 20
providing shared services to utilities". This plan also applies a consistent approach to all
five utilities which is also important to the Council.
The RM explains in the application there are eight categories of shared direct overhead
costs considered for the shared cost allocation. In addition, there are shared
engineering/utility administration expenses and shared expenses for the Works and
Operations office facility located in Kleefeld which are also reflected in the cost allocation.
All costs were assigned an allocation percentage based on information the RM gathered
by an employee survey and direct discussions. The allocation is proposed as a proportion
of the actual activity attributable to utility functions. The percentages have been applied to
the average annual cost (three year rolling average) for each of the eight categories to
arrive at an amount to be allocated to utility overhead.
Allocation Plan of Shared Costs for All Utilities:
Shared Overhead Expenses
Allocation % Based
on Activity
Legislative
1.50%
Administrative Employee
4.25%
Office Overhead
4.25%
Legal
4.25%
Audit
4.25%
Insurance
4.25%
Engineering/Utility Administration Employee
25.0%
Workshop Overhead
5.0%
The utility overhead is applied to the five utilities based on relative proportional percentage
of size represented by the three-year average rolling expenses for each utility (Schedule
9) divided by the total expenses for all utilities (Schedule 9 - Consolidated).
Utility
Proportional Share
per Utility (%)
Grunthal Water and Wastewater Utility
36.0%
Kleefeld Water and Wastewater Utility
15.0%
Blumenort Wastewater Utility
21.0%
Mitchell Wastewater Utility
22.0%
New Bothwell Wastewater Utility
6.0%
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 10 of 20
The RM states it should be noted that these costs will be found in the pre-consolidation
annual year-end financial statements prepared by municipal staff not the Public Sector
Accounting Board (PSAB) consolidated audited financial statements for two reasons:
1. The consolidated audited financial statements contain administrative costs not
attributable to utility operations including those of six additional government reporting
entities controlled by the RM. This would result in unfair distribution of administrative, legal,
audit and insurance costs.
2. The consolidated audited financial statements are generally not published until long after
the annual utility budgeting process must be completed. Resulting in untimely budget
allocations if relied on.
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 11 of 20
4.0 Board Findings
Rate Application
The Board has reviewed the application and the projections presented by the RM in its rate
application and notes the calculations used to formulate the Utility's rates are not consistent
with Public Utilities Board Guidelines, but instead have been designed to phase-in rates to
mitigate rate-shock and high year-over-year rate increases.
The Board approves the rates as requested by the RM, but varies the effective dates to
July 1, 2025, January 1, 2026, January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028 to coincide with the
Utility's billing cycle.
The Board directs the RM to review the water and wastewater rates for the Utility for
adequacy and file a report with the Board, as well as an application for revised rates on or
before May 1, 2028.
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 12 of 20
5.0 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The requested water and wastewater rates for the Rural Municipality of Hanover,
Kleefeld Water and Wastewater Utility, BE AND ARE HEREBY VARIED in accordance
with the attached Schedule A, effective July 1, 2025, January 1, 2026, January 1, 2027,
and January 1, 2028.
2. The Rural Municipality of Hanover is to provide a notice of the decisions found in this
Order to its customers as soon as possible, with a copy provided to the Public Utilities
Board.
3. The Rural Municipality of Hanover amend its water and wastewater rate By-Law to
reflect the decisions in this Order and submit a copy to the Board once it has received
third and final reading.
4. The Rural Municipality of Hanover review its water and wastewater rates for the
Kleefeld Water and Wastewater Utility for adequacy and file a report with the Public
Utilities Board, as well as an application for revised rates if required, by no later than
May 1, 2028.
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 13 of 20
Board decisions may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 of The
Public Utilities Board Act, or reviewed in accordance with Section 36 of the Board's Rules
of Practice and Procedure (Rules). The Board's Rules may be viewed on the Board's
website at www.pubmanitoba.ca
Fees payable upon this Order - $500.00
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
"Irene Hamilton"
Panel Chair
"Frederick Mykytyshyn"
Assistant Associate Secretary
Certified a true copy of Order No. 76/25
Issued by The Public Utilities Board
Assistant Associate Secretary
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 14 of 20
SCHEDULE A
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF HANOVER
KLEEFELD WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY
WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY RATES BY-LAW #2569-24
SCHEDULE OF QUARTERLY RATES
1. Schedule of Commodity Rates & Quarterly Service Charge
July 1, 2025
Quarterly Service Charge
$15.94
Commodity Rates
Water
Wastewater
Water & Wastewater
Per 1,000 gallons
$9.81
$1.69
$11.50
2. Minimum Charges per Quarter
Notwithstanding the rates set forth in paragraph 1, all customers will pay the applicable
minimum charges per quarter set out below, which includes the volume allowance as
listed.
For all metered accounts, volumes in excess of the minimum quarterly allowance will
be charged at the applicable commodity rate.
a. Metered Water and/or Wastewater Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Water
Commodity
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Water &
Wastewater Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Water Only
Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Wastewater
Only Total
Quarterly
Minimum
5/8
1
3,000
15.94
$
29.43
$
5.07
$
50.44
$
45.37
$
21.01
$
1
4
12,000
15.94
$
117.72
$
20.28
$
153.94
$
133.66
$
36.22
$
1 ½
10
30,000
15.94
$
294.30
$
50.70
$
360.94
$
310.24
$
66.64
$
2
25
75,000
15.94
$
735.75
$
126.75
$
878.44
$
751.69
$
142.69
$
b. Unmetered Wastewater Only for Residential Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Total
Quarterly
Charge
8,200
15.94
$
13.86
$
29.80
$
Unmetered
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 15 of 20
1. Schedule of Commodity Rates & Quarterly Service Charge January 1, 2026
Quarterly Service Charge
$13.87
Commodity Rates
Water
Wastewater
Water & Wastewater
Per 1,000 gallons
$10.31
$2.01
$12.32
2. Minimum Charges per Quarter
Notwithstanding the rates set forth in paragraph 1, all customers will pay the applicable
minimum charges per quarter set out below, which includes the volume allowance as
listed.
For all metered accounts, volumes in excess of the minimum quarterly allowance will
be charged at the applicable commodity rate.
a. Metered Water and/or Wastewater Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Water
Commodity
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Water &
Wastewater Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Water Only
Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Wastewater
Only Total
Quarterly
Minimum
5/8
1
3,000
13.87
$
30.93
$
6.03
$
50.83
$
44.80
$
19.90
$
1
4
12,000
13.87
$
123.72
$
24.12
$
161.71
$
137.59
$
37.99
$
1 ½
10
30,000
13.87
$
309.30
$
60.30
$
383.47
$
323.17
$
74.17
$
2
25
75,000
13.87
$
773.25
$
150.75
$
937.87
$
787.12
$
164.62
$
b. Unmetered Wastewater Only for Residential Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Total
Quarterly
Charge
8,200
13.87
$
16.48
$
30.35
$
Unmetered
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 16 of 20
1. Schedule of Commodity Rates & Quarterly Service Charge January 1, 2027
Quarterly Service Charge
$11.80
Commodity Rates
Water
Wastewater
Water & Wastewater
Per 1,000 gallons
$10.81
$2.33
$13.14
2. Minimum Charges per Quarter
Notwithstanding the rates set forth in paragraph 1, all customers will pay the applicable
minimum charges per quarter set out below, which includes the volume allowance as
listed.
For all metered accounts, volumes in excess of the minimum quarterly allowance will
be charged at the applicable commodity rate.
a. Metered Water and/or Wastewater Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Water
Commodity
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Water &
Wastewater Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Water Only
Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Wastewater
Only Total
Quarterly
Minimum
5/8
1
3,000
11.80
$
32.43
$
6.99
$
51.22
$
44.23
$
18.79
$
1
4
12,000
11.80
$
129.72
$
27.96
$
169.48
$
141.52
$
39.76
$
1 ½
10
30,000
11.80
$
324.30
$
69.90
$
406.00
$
336.10
$
81.70
$
2
25
75,000
11.80
$
810.75
$
174.75
$
997.30
$
822.55
$
186.55
$
b. Unmetered Wastewater Only for Residential Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Total
Quarterly
Charge
8,200
11.80
$
19.11
$
30.91
$
Unmetered
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 17 of 20
1. Schedule of Commodity Rates & Quarterly Service Charge January 1, 2028
Quarterly Service Charge
$9.72
Commodity Rates
Water
Wastewater
Water & Wastewater
Per 1,000 gallons
$11.29
$2.64
$13.93
2. Minimum Charges per Quarter
Notwithstanding the rates set forth in paragraph 1, all customers will pay the applicable
minimum charges per quarter set out below, which includes the volume allowance as
listed.
For all metered accounts, volumes in excess of the minimum quarterly allowance will
be charged at the applicable commodity rate.
a. Metered Water and/or Wastewater Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Water
Commodity
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Water &
Wastewater Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Water Only
Total
Quarterly
Minimum
Wastewater
Only Total
Quarterly
Minimum
5/8
1
3,000
9.72
$
33.87
$
7.92
$
51.51
$
43.59
$
17.64
$
1
4
12,000
9.72
$
135.48
$
31.68
$
176.88
$
145.20
$
41.40
$
1 ½
10
30,000
9.72
$
338.70
$
79.20
$
427.62
$
348.42
$
88.92
$
2
25
75,000
9.72
$
846.75
$
198.00
$
1,054.47
$
856.47
$
207.72
$
b. Unmetered Wastewater Only for Residential Customers
Meter
Size
(Inches)
Group
Capacity
Ratio
Water
Included
(Gallons)
Customer
Service
Charge
Wastewater
Commodity
Charge
Total
Quarterly
Charge
8,200
9.72
$
21.65
$
31.37
$
Unmetered
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 18 of 20
The following clauses take effect July 1, 2025:
3. Service to Customers outside Kleefeld L.I.D. limits
The Council of the Rural Municipality of Hanover may sign agreements with customers
for the provision of water and sewer services to properties located outside the legal
boundaries of Kleefeld Local Improvement District #2 limits. Such agreements shall
provide for payment of the appropriate rates set out in the schedule, as well as a
surcharge, set by resolution of Council which shall be equivalent to the frontage levy,
general taxes and special taxes for utility purposes in effect at the time, or may be in
effect from time to time, and which would be levied on the property concerned if it were
within these boundaries. In addition, all costs of connection to the Utility's mains and
installing and maintaining service connections will be paid by the customer.
4. Billings and Penalties
Accounts shall be billed quarterly based on water used. A late payment penalty charge
of 1.25% compounded monthly shall be charged on the dollar amount owing after the
billing due date. The due date will be at least thirty (30) days after the mailing of the
bills.
5. Disconnections
The Public Utilities Board has approved the Conditions Precedent to be followed by the
Rural Municipality with respect to the disconnection of service for non-payment
including such matters as notice and the right to appeal such action to the Public
Utilities Board. A copy of the Conditions Precedent are available for inspection at the
Rural Municipal office.
6. Reconnection
Any service disconnected, whether due to non-payment of account or for any other
reason(s) mutually agreed to by the customer and the Municipality (i.e. repairs
necessitated by negligence of the customer, changes in tenant, vacancy for an
extended period of time, etc.) shall not be reconnected until a reconnection fee of
$50.00 and all arrears and penalties, if any, have been paid.
7. Outstanding Bills
Pursuant to Section 252(2) of The Municipal Act, the amount of all outstanding charges
for water and wastewater services, including fines and penalties, are a lien and charge
upon the land serviced, and shall be collected in the same manner in which ordinary
taxes upon the land are collectible, and with like remedies. Where charges and
penalties pursuant to this by-law are not paid within sixty (60) days from the date when
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 19 of 20
they were incurred, said charges and penalties shall be added to the taxes on the
property and collected in the same manner as other taxes.
8. Hydrant Rentals
The Rural Municipality will pay to the Utility an annual rental of $150.00 for each hydrant
connected to the system which includes the cost of water.
9. Wastewater Surcharges
a) There may be levied annually, in addition to rates set forth above, a special surcharge
on sewage having a Biochemical Oxygen Demand in excess of 300 parts per million,
to be set by resolution of Council.
b) A special surcharge for substances requiring special treatment shall be charged based
on the actual costs of treatment required for the particular sewage or industrial wastes.
10. Meter Testing
That in any case where a utility customer requests that a meter be tested for accuracy,
the customer will provide the Rural Municipality with a deposit of $100.00. The Rural
Municipality will then remove the subject meter and send it to an independent lab for
testing. If the meter is found to be faulty, all costs associated with the testing process
will be borne by the Rural Municipality and the deposit will be refunded to the customer.
If the meter is found to be in proper working order, all costs associated with the testing
process will be borne by the customer and the customer will be billed or refunded any
balance owing.
11. Meter Tampering
Where there is evidence of meter tampering a minimum charge of $500.00 will be
applied to the customer's account in addition to an amount calculated to adjust for the
tampering based on historical usage.
12. Cross Connections
No customer or person shall connect, cause to be connected or allow to remain
connected any piping, fixture, fitting, container or appliance in a manner which under
any circumstances may allow water, wastewater or any harmful liquid or substance to
enter the Rural Municipality's water system.
If a condition is found to exist which, in the opinion of the Rural Municipality, is contrary
to the aforesaid, the Rural Municipality may either:
- Shut off the service or services; or
Order No. 76/25
May 23, 2025
Page 20 of 20
- Give notice to the customer to correct the fault at his or her own expense within
a specified time period. If the customer fails to comply with such notice the Rural
Municipality shall proceed in accordance with clause 1 of this section.
13. Authorization for Officer to Enter Upon Premises
The Public Works Foreman, or other employee authorized by the Rural Municipality in
the absence of the Public Works Foreman, shall be authorized to enter upon any
premise for the purpose of:
- affixing to any pipe, wire or apparatus connected with any such utility, a meter
or any other measuring or testing device; or
- taking readings from, repairing, inspecting or removing any meter or apparatus
belonging to the Rural Municipality.
14. Water Allowance Due to Line Freezing
That in any case where, at the request of the Council, a customer allows water to run
continuously for any period of time to prevent the water lines in the water system from
freezing, the charge to that customer for the current quarter shall be the average of the
billings for the last two previous quarters to the same customer, or to the same
premises if the occupant has changed.