TAMRMS#: B06
6.4
Information Item Only
title
Non-Revenue Water Update
Presented by: Tim Saunders, Director, Public Operations
body
SUMMARY
The following agenda report relates to Non-Revenue Water, commonly referred to as "Water Loss". Non-Revenue Water is the term used for the volume difference between water produced or purchased from source and the direct volume that is billed to Water Utility rate payers.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Water Bylaw 5/2001 (Amendment 25/2025)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Please see below an explanation of what "water loss" means, how it affects the Utility budget, and how it is being addressed in the 2026 Utility Rate Model.
What is Water Loss?
The City of St. Albert purchases all of its drinking water from EPCOR (including a small portion indirectly through the Town of Morinville) as part of the Regional Water Customers Group. The volume purchased is measured by EPCOR meters as water enters the City.
The City then bills approximately 23,000 customer locations based on individual water meters at homes and businesses.
"Water loss" is the difference between:
* The total amount of water purchased (measured at the EPCOR meters), and
* The total amount billed to customers (measured at individual customer meters).
All water utilities experience some level of water loss. It is not unique to St. Albert.
What Causes Water Loss?
Water loss can occur for several reasons:
* Leaks and breaks in underground water infrastructure
* Unmetered municipal uses (such as firefighting, hydrant flushing, sewer flushing, street sweeping, and watering of public spaces)
* Aging water meters that under-report usage
* Unauthorized consumption (e.g., bypassing meters or unauthorized hydrant use)
Impact on the Water and Wastewater Budget
The City pays for every cubic metre of water it purchases from EPCOR, whether it is ultimately billed to a customer or not.
Similarly, the City pays Arrow Utilities to treat ...
Click here for full text