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September 8, 2025
CITY OF MEADOW LAKE
WATER & SEWER BYLAW
BYLAW NO. 13/2018
With amendments up to and including Bylaw No. 12/2024, Bylaw No. 04/2024, Bylaw No.
13/2019, Bylaw No. 10/2021, Bylaw No. 12/2022, Bylaw No. 11/2023 passed August 28, 2022,
and Bylaw No. 06/2025 passed September 8, 2025, by City Council.
========================================================================
NOTE:
All persons making use of this consolidation are reminded that this document has no legal
status, that the amendments have been embodied for convenience of reference, and that
the original bylaws should be consulted for all purposes of interpretation and application
of the law. Red highlighted entries indicate the amendments to the bylaw.
========================================================================
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 2
CITY OF MEADOW LAKE
BYLAW NO. 13/2018
WATER AND SEWER BYLAW
A BYLAW OF THE CITY FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS
WATERWORKS AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS AND FOR COLLECTION OF
WATER AND SEWER USER FEES.
The Council of the City of Meadow Lake, in the Province of Saskatchewan, enacts as
follows:
PART 1 - INTRODUCTION
1.
This Bylaw shall be known and may be cited as the "Water and Sewer Bylaw" of
the City.
2.
The purpose of this Bylaw is to provide, regulate and set rates for water and
sanitary sewer services to residential, commercial, institutional and industrial
users.
PART 2 - DEFINITIONS
3.
Whenever in this Bylaw, the following words or terms are used, they shall, unless
the context otherwise provides, be held to have the following meanings:
(a)
Building means any structure roofed in or intended to be roofed located on
an owner's property.
(b)
City Manager shall mean the City Manager of Meadow Lake or an
employee of the City designated by the City Manager to act on behalf of the
City.
(c)
City shall mean the City of Meadow Lake in the Province of Saskatchewan.
(d)
Council shall mean the Council of the City.
(e)
Light Sewer means properties with a two stage septic tank sewage system
connected to the City sewer mains and regulated under the Septic Tank
Maintenance Bylaw.
(f)
Owner means the owner of any land or building to which water and sewer
services are supplied by the City.
(g)
Premises means:
i)
a single family dwelling house;
ii)
a building used wholly for commercial or industrial purposes;
iii)
a residential suite in a building used wholly or partially for commercial
or industrial purposes;
iv)
a residential suite in a multi-family dwelling house, duplex, a
condominium, or an apartment building; or
v)
a residential suite in a single family dwelling house.
(h)
User means:
i)
the owner of any land or building who makes application to the City
for water and sewer services to any premises situated on their land
or within their building; or
ii)
any other person, persons or bodies corporate who are not the
owners of the land or building upon or within which they occupy
premises and who have made application to the City for water and
sewer services and who have an existing account before this bylaw
takes effect.
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 3
PART 3 - ADMINISTRATION & FEES FOR SERVICE
Application for services
4.
Every owner who wishes to obtain water and sewer services to any premises shall
make application to the City Office and pay all necessary fees and charges levied
by the City for the installation of any service lines, connections, meters, fittings
apparatus, appliances or any other thing deemed necessary by the City for the
provision of water and sewer services.
5.
Before the City will turn on water services to a property, every owner who wishes
to obtain water and sewer services to any premises must first:
(a)
install an inside water meter, approved by the City on the water line
connecting to the City water system; and
(b)
have the meter installed according to City's specifications and with a shut
off valve on each side of the meter; and
(c)
install an outside remote meter readout at the front of the premises before
the water service is turned on at the curb stop.
6.
Only an owner of premises may make an application for water and sewer services
pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Bylaw.
7.
If an owner of a premises leases, rents, sublets such premises to another user of
water and sewer services as defined by this Bylaw, or permits any other party to
occupy of the premises, upon such user or other party ceasing to occupy the
premises, the owner will become liable for all fees, rents, charges, or levies
assessed by the City in relation to the provision of water and sewer services.
8.
Every owner, before allowing the occupation of any premises by a user or other
party shall make application for water and sewer services to the City office and
shall pay any required connection fee if the service has been disconnected.
9.
If water and/or sewer services have been terminated at request of an owner or if
water and/or sewer services have been terminated in accordance with Section 30
or 31 herein, every user and/or owner shall pay in addition to any other amounts
owed by the user and/or owner to the City for the provision of water and sewer
services, the sum of $50.00 for shutting the service off and $50.00 for reconnecting
the service.
Fees, rates and charges for service
10.
Every user of water and sewer services shall be billed quarterly for usage at the
rate set out in Schedule "A" hereto.
11.
A penalty of six percent will be added to all outstanding arrears sixty days following
the last date of each billing period.
12.
Payment by a user and/or owner of any fees, rents, charges or levies assessed by
the City in relation to the provision of water and sewer services shall constitute
acceptance by the user and/or owner of a contract for the supply of water and
sewer services between the City and the user and/or owner for the supply of water
and sewer services in accordance with provisions of The Cities Act and
amendments thereto and of this Bylaw and amendments thereto.
13.
When a premises is sold by an owner, or when ownership of the property continues
by an owner, but a user or other party ceases to occupy a premises, the owner
shall be liable for all fees, rents, charges or levies assessed by the City in relation
to the provision of water and sewer services to such premises unless and until the
owner terminates the provision of water and sewer services to the premises in
accordance with Section 9 of this Bylaw and/or another owner makes an
application for the provision of water and sewer services in accordance with
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 4
Section 5 of this Bylaw and pays the reconnection fee set out in Section 9 of this
Bylaw and all other fees, rents, charges or levies previously assessed by the City
and remaining owing to the City in relation to the premises.
14.
If a user of water and sewer services fails to pay amounts charged for usage as
set out in Section 10 and Schedule "A" hereto or fails to pay any other charges,
fees, rents or amounts levied by the City in relation to the provision of water and
sewer services, the City may, in addition to any other remedies available to it for
the non-payment of charges, fees, rents or amounts levied, discontinue the
provision of water and sewer services to the user upon giving reasonable notice of
its intention to do so to the user. The City, or its employees, shall not be liable for
any damages resulting from the discontinuance of water supply to any building,
boiler or other apparatus deriving its supply from the City water system.
15.
If the person to whom water and sewer services are supplied is the owner of the
land or building to which the service is supplied, the sum payable by him for the
service and all rates and costs imposed pursuant to this bylaw are a lien on the
land and building which has priority over all other liens or charges save that of the
Crown and are a charge on the goods and chattels of the owner and may be levied
and collected in the same manner as taxes are recoverable.
16.
If the person to whom the water and sewer services are supplied is a person other
than the owner of the land or building to which the service is supplied, then the
sum payable by him for the service and all rates and costs imposed pursuant to
this bylaw are a debt due by him and are a lien on his goods and chattels and may
be levied and collected with costs by distress.
17.
A distress and sale for rates, charges or rents pursuant to this bylaw is to be
conducted in the same manner as distresses and sales are conducted for the
arrears of taxes, and the costs chargeable are those payable pursuant to The
Distress Act.
18.
An attempt to collect any rates, charges or rents pursuant to this bylaw does not in
any way invalidate any lien the City is entitled to on land, buildings, or goods and
chattels by virtue of this section.
19.
If any rate, charge or rent owed by an owner or tenant of land or a building is in
arrears after the owner or tenant has vacated the premises and the meter deposit,
if applicable, has been reversed against the outstanding amounts, the balance of
the outstanding rate, charge or rent may be added to, and thereby form part of the
taxes on the land or buildings of the owner with respect to which the water and
sewer service was provided.
PART 4 - SERVICE CONNECTIONS
20.
Any work conducted on City property with respect to water or sewer service lines
will be done by or under the direction of the City.
Installation of new services
21.
The cost of installing, upgrading, or relocating a water or sewer service line from
the City's main to the building shall be entirely the responsibility of the property
owner with the exception of circumstances stated in Section 24.
22.
If water service lines are installed on a property where no such service lines have
previously been installed, the property owner will be charged an initial connection
to main fee set out in the City's Initial Connection to Main Fee Policy.
Re-use of existing service lines
23.
Where a building has been demolished and a new structure at that location is to
be supplied with water or sewer services or a new structure is set upon land to
which water services or sewer services are provided, the owner shall not use pre-
existing service connections without prior written authorization of the City
Engineer. Such authorization shall be at the discretion of the Engineer and require
at minimum:
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 5
(a)
a camera inspection verifying the service line is in good condition;
(b)
the service line must be 4" PVC or better;
(c)
the curb stop for the water service line is in working condition; and
(d)
the sewer service line does not have a history of blockages or other
maintenance issues.
Repair of service lines
24.
If a water or sewer service line is not functioning due to a broken, damaged, or
collapsed pipe and requires replacement or repair, the cost of replacement or
repair will be the responsibility of the City from the City's main to the property line
and the responsibility of the property owner from the property line to the building.
25.
Notwithstanding Section 24, when a blockage or damage to the portion of the
service connection on the City's side of the property line arises as a result of any
person on the premises served by the service connection failing to comply with the
provisions of this Bylaw, or any other applicable Act, Regulation, Code or Bylaw,
the owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with clearing the blockage
and repairing the damage.
26.
For reason of making repairs, or extension of mains or services, the City shall have
the right to shut off water to any customer without notice for a period necessary to
complete the repair or connection.
27.
The City, or its employees, shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the
discontinuance of water supply, with or without notice, to any building, boiler or
other apparatus deriving its supply from the City water system.
Termination or interruption of services
28.
Wherever practical, reasonable notice of the intention to shut off a water service
will be given.
29.
Every occupant or owner of premises connected to the City water supply shall give
notice to the City Manager of his intended or actual vacating of the premises.
30.
The City reserves the right to disconnect the supply of water for any reason
including, but not limited to, the following:
(a)
non-payment of a bill;
(b)
failure to provide access to City staff;
(c)
excess leakage or waste of water;
(d)
theft of water or tampering with a water meter; or
(e)
contravention of any relevant code, legislation, section of this bylaw, or City
policy.
31.
The City shall have the right to shut off the water service to any user or owner for
non-payment of charges levied for unplugging a sewer service line, thawing a
water service line, or making repairs to a service line situated from the building to
property line after ninety days from the date of work and after giving the owner or
occupant notice of its intention to shut off the water service.
Limitation of liability
32.
The City does not guarantee the quantity, quality, pressure, or uninterrupted supply
of the water and the owner undertakes to hold the City harmless from all claims,
losses and damages therefrom.
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 6
33.
Any water supplied by the City from the waterworks system to an applicant shall
only be supplied on the condition that the applicant shall make no claim against
the City, its officials, employees or agents except with respect to damage caused
by the negligence of the City, its officials, employees or agents acting within the
scope of their employment, as the case may be. It is a further condition of supply
that the applicant shall make no claim for any indirect, incidental or consequential
damages, including but not limited to, lost profits. Not to limit the generality of the
foregoing, neither the City, its officials, employees nor agents shall be liable for:
(a)
actions based on nuisance;
(b)
actions in respect of personal injury, death or property damage related to
the presence of any substance or material in the water or the waterworks
system; or
(c)
actions in respect of damages related to the interruption or termination of
water services or failure or refusal to provide water services, for any reason
whatsoever, whether or not notice was provided.
34.
Water services shall only be supplied on the condition that the applicant shall
indemnify and save harmless the City, its officials, employees and agents from and
against all claims arising by reason of the supply of water services, excepting those
claims caused by negligence. Not to limit the generality of the foregoing, as a
condition of service, the applicant shall indemnify and save harmless the City, its
officials, employees and agents from and against claims for personal injury, death
or other types of claims whatsoever brought by the applicant or any third party
arising directly or indirectly from:
(a)
the use by any person of the applicant's water services;
(b)
the provision of water services at any premises owned or occupied by the
applicant or any person to whom the applicant is an agent;
(c)
the failure of the waterworks system, the water services connection, the
meter, or any part of such service, system or meter or any appurtenance
thereto affecting the applicants water service; or
(d)
the interruption or termination of water services or the failure or refusal to
provide services to the applicant for any reason whatsoever, whether or not
notice was provided.
35.
The City or its representatives will not be liable for any damages resulting from the
loss of supply, pressure or suddenly shutting off the supply of water from any
premise, building, boiler, processor or manufacturer deriving its supply from the
City, either with or without notice.
36.
The City shall not be liable for damages:
(a)
Caused by the break of any water main, service, meter, private service,
attachment or the breaching of any ditch in the repair or installation thereof.
(b)
Caused by the interference or cessation of water supply necessary in
connection with the repair or proper maintenance of the systems.
(c)
For any accident due to the operation of the City waterworks system unless
such costs or damages have been shown to be directly due to the
negligence of the City or its employees.
PART 5 - WATER SUPPLY REGULATIONS
General provisions
37.
Every owner shall keep the water service connection, valves, pipes, meters and
other water service appliances inside their property line protected from frost,
tampering and other damage at their own risk and expense.
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 7
38.
Every owner shall ensure the curb stop for their water service connection remains
accessible and undamaged. Any costs incurred in order for the City to access a
curb stop that has been paved over or otherwise made inaccessible will be the
responsibility of the owner. Any damages to the curb stop caused by the owner will
be the responsibility of the owner.
39.
No booster pump or device will be connected to a main or service line without the
prior written approval of the City.
Water meters
40.
Every owner shall make provision for installation of the inside water meter in a
location easily and readily accessible to City staff for examination and maintenance
and shall at all times, properly and efficiently protect the service pipe and meter
from frost or other injury so that the meter shall not be damaged.
41.
Every owner or occupant of premises connected to the City water and sewer
system shall permit access to the building by City staff to examine, inspect and/or
repair the water meter at all reasonable times.
42.
All water meters shall be sealed at time of installation and it shall be an offense for
any person to break the seal and/or to tamper with the meter in any way. Where
evidence of tampering with the seal or meter is found, the person who applied for
service and who is billed for service shall be deemed responsible and be liable for
the penalty prescribed in this Bylaw.
43.
In the event that a meter when read is found to register incorrectly, an amount
based on that user's average usage from previous related periods or based on
average usage for a similar family size will be used to calculate the billing.
44.
A residential owner that receives a high meter reading due to a plumbing problem
may be eligible for a bill adjustment if:
(a)
the owner notifies the City that the plumbing problem has been identified
and provides proof that it has been repaired;
(b)
the owner is able to demonstrate, through separate meter readings, that the
average daily water consumption has decreased by ten percent or more
from the originally billed amount; and
(c)
the adjustment will only be applied to a single billing period.
Water-only service
45.
If a substantial portion of the water purchased by a person is not discharged to the
sanitary sewer system, the person may apply to the City for a water-only service
charge, which the City Manager may approve if the following conditions are met:
(a)
The applicant is already serviced with at least one combined water and
sewer service accounts;
(b)
The installation of a secondary water meter for the water-only service shall
be required as a condition of the approval; and
(c)
The owner shall not allow any water supplied through the water-only service
connection to be discharged into the City's sanitary sewer system.
The City may periodically review any water-only services for compliance with this
section.
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 8
Water service lines
46.
If an owner requires the City to shut off a curb stop or water main valve, the owner
will be charged at the current rates established under the City's Shutting Water
Mains for Service Connections Policy. Any requests made outside of the regular
Public Works Hours shall be subject to any additional fees applicable under the
current Public Works Rates Policies.
47.
For frozen water service lines the following applies:
(a)
In the event of the freeze up of a water service line between a building and
a water main, the City will thaw the line once in each winter season without
charge during regular hours of the Public Works Department. If a water line
is frozen inside of a building, the owner will be requested to call a plumber.
(b)
To prevent repeated freezing, the City may authorize or instruct the user to
connect an approved "bleeder" line or open an approved tap. Usage shall
be estimated based on the usage in prior billing cycle, with deductions up
to a maximum of 9 m3 per month from the actual meter read being
authorized. A list of approved users for this billing adjustment will be
maintained by the City.
(c)
If the service line freezes a second or subsequent time during a winter
season, the City will thaw the line with costs charged to the owner under the
current Public Works Rates Policy.
48.
Where a user permits a water meter to freeze up and damage results, the cost of
the repairs or replacement shall be added to the user's account.
Restricted use
49.
Where, in the opinion of the City Manager, restrictions on the supply, use or
consumption of water from the City's water works are required, the City may limit,
restrict, regulate and invoke emergency measures for water conservation and the
hours in which water may be used and for such time as may be deemed
appropriate.
50.
During any period in which the City has imposed restrictions on the use or
consumption of water pursuant to Section 49, no person shall use or consume
water contrary to such restrictions.
51.
The City shall have the right to limit the amount of water furnished to any user upon
reasonable notice to the customer of such intended action.
PART 6 - SEWAGE SERVICE REGULATIONS
52.
No person shall discharge into a sanitary sewer any of the following waters, liquids
or wastes:
(a)
solid or viscous substances capable of causing obstructions to the flow in
the sewers or interference with the proper operation of the sewage
collection system;
(b)
sand, grit or similar material;
(c)
disposable wipes labeled as 'flushable wipes';
(d)
gasoline, fuel or other flammable or explosive solid, liquid or gas;
(e)
waste having corrosive or hazardous properties capable of causing damage
or hazard to structures, equipment or personnel of the sewage works;
(f)
wastes containing toxic or poisonous substances in sufficient quantity to
injure or interfere with sewage treatment, or constitute a hazard to any
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 9
human, animal, fish or water fowl;
(g)
storm water and surface ground water.
53.
No person shall connect to the building sanitary sewer new foundation drainage
systems, including weeping tiles and sump pumps.
54.
Every owner or occupant shall take every precaution not to cause a blockage in
the sewer service line between the building and the City sanitary sewer main. If a
blockage occurs, it shall be the responsibility of the owner or occupant to have the
material blocking the line removed and the owner or occupant shall be responsible
for the cost of unplugging the sewer line.
55.
As per the City's Plugged Services Policy, the City will only investigate a plugged
or backed up sewer service if the owner has already had the service investigated
by a plumber and the plumber is unable to remedy the issue. The current callout
rates for service will apply.
56.
The owner may request the City to inspect their sanitary sewer service with a
camera under the current rate in the Public Works Rates Policy.
57.
Every Owner or User who makes a claim or demand, takes any action or alleges
that they have a cause of action, claim or demand against the City for or by reason
of loss of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of any incident of sewer back-up
and/or flooding shall, within 30 days of making such claim or demand or taking
such action, install a sewer back-up valve on the premises which are the subject-
matter of such claim, demand or action in accordance with specifications provided
by the City Manager and the Owner or User shall also provide satisfactory proof of
such installation to the City Manager.
PART 7 - OFFENCES & PENALTIES
58.
It shall be an offense for any person who is not an employee of the City or who has
not been authorized by the City Manager to open, close or tamper with a fire
hydrant, curb stop, water meter, remote water meter readout or valve connected
with the City water system, or in any other way tamper or interfere with the
operation and/or functioning of any other component or part of the City water
system.
59.
It shall be an offense for any person to interfere, obstruct or abuse any City
employee engaged in maintenance, inspection or repairing of a fire hydrant, curb
stop or water meter connected to the City water system.
60.
It shall be an offence for any person who is not an employee of the City or who has
not been authorized by the City Manager to open, close, or otherwise interfere with
the operation and/or functioning of any component of the City sewage system.
61.
No person except the City, or those acting with written permission granted by the
City, will make any connection whatsoever with any of the public water mains or
private pipes in the City.
62.
It shall be an offense for any person to jeopardize the potable water quality or
safety.
63.
Any person found guilty of an infraction of this Bylaw, or any part thereof, shall be
liable on summary conviction, to the penalties prescribed by the General Penalty
Bylaw of the City.
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 10
PART 8 - GENERAL
64.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or other portion of this bylaw
is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any Court of competent
jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
provision and the holding of the Court shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions.
65.
Bylaw 08/2010 and 10/2017 are hereby repealed.
66.
This bylaw shall come into force on the date of final passage.
Introduced and read a first time this 24th day of September, 2018.
Read a second time this 9th day of October, 2018.
Read a third time and adopted this 9th day of October, 2018.
_________________________
________________________
City Clerk
Mayor
Water & Sewer Bylaw No. 13/2018
Page 11
SCHEDULE "A"
WATER AND SEWER RATES BYLAW NO. 13/2018
Effective January 1, 2026: (per Water and Sewer Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 06/2025)
For the purposes of calculation and conversion, 1m3 shall equal 220 imperial gallons.
Water - Quarterly Rates
2026
Base Charge
$112.22
Consumption (per 1m3)
$3.11
Sewer - Quarterly Rates
2026
Full - Base Charge
$74.81
Light - Base Charge
$54.81
Consumption (per 1m3)
$1.24
Infrastructure - Quarterly Rates
2026
Base Infrastructure Levy
$25.00