By TERRY PUGH
Water rates in Warman could rise by 6% this year in response to an increase in the price of water supplied to the city by SaskWater.
At a meeting on Monday, January 26, Warman City Council passed first reading of a bylaw to increase the price of water to residents and businesses effective March 1, 2026.
The bylaw must still pass second and third readings at a city council meeting on Monday, February 23 before it can be implemented.
Under the proposed bylaw, the monthly water rate for 1,750 gallons or less (the minimum price charged by the city) would rise from $53.45 to $56.66.
The price for 1,751 gallons or more would rise from $30.54 to $32.37 per 1,000 gallons.
(One cubic meter is 1,000 litres. It is equal to about 220 imperial gallons.)
According to a city administration report presented at the Warman City Council committee of the whole meeting on Monday, January 19, SaskWater notified the City of Warman on December 22, 2025 that the City of Saskatoon’s bulk water rate increase for 2026 will be 5%.
SaskWater owns and operates the pipeline that supplies potable water from the City of Saskatoon to nearby communities, including Warman. SaskWater purchases potable water from the City of Saskatoon and re-sells it to communities on its pipeline. All communities that receive potable water through the SaskWater pipeline are subject to the price increase, and will be adjusting their rates accordingly this spring.
The City of Warman is setting its new water rates to cover the 5% increase in the cost of treated potable water, as well as a 1% surcharge to cover its own operating and infrastructure costs.
RATE HIKE REDUCED
During budget discussions last fall, Warman City Council anticipated a 5.5% increase in the cost of potable water from its supplier; and consequently projected a 6.5% water rate hike for 2026.
However, a lower-than-anticipated cost increase by SaskWater allowed Warman city administration to reduce the proposed water rate hike from 6.5% to 6%.
“These adjustments were strategically incorporated to offset rising purchasing costs and strengthen the financial position of the (City of Warman) Utility Department,” stated an administration report to the January 19 council committee of the whole meeting. “Over the past five years, inflationary pressures have eroded margins, leaving the department operating near break-even. The planned increases aim to restore profitability and ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining service quality for our customers.”
During discussion at the January 19 committee of the whole meeting, Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk said the rate increase is needed to cover the cost of providing water to residents and businesses, and to ensure the city has reliable infrastructure and capacity for the present and future.
“It’s costing us more to buy water from Saskatoon,” said Philipchuk.
SASKWATER PRICE HIKES
Annual price increases by SaskWater are, like the return of the robin, a sure sign of spring.
In January, 2017, SaskWater announced rate hikes of 9.5% for 2017 and 9.25% for 2018.
In 2022, SaskWater increased the price of water for the City of Warman by 2.99%; followed in 2023 by a rate hike of 3.63%. Rates were increased by 5% in 2024.
WASTE WATER RATES
Monthly sewer rates for the City of Warman will also be increasing on March 1 if the proposed bylaw is passed.
The commercial/industrial sewage rate will be 30% of the monthly water charge, subject to a minimum charge of $16.99 per month under the proposed bylaw. (The current minimum charge is $16.03.)
The residential rate under the proposed bylaw will be 20% of the monthly water charge, subject to a minimum charge of $11.33 per month. (The current minimum is $10.69 per month.)
There is also a waste water infrastructure flat rate of $5.00 per month. This fee remains unchanged from when it was introduced May 1, 2023.
RATES COMPARABLE
According to an administration report to the January 19 council meeting, the City of Warman Utilities Department is structured to generate sufficient revenues to fully recover operating costs and also to contribute to long-term infrastructure reserves.
“Profits generated by the Utilities Department are transferred to utility reserves at year end,” noted the report. “These reserves are essential for funding necessary infrastructure projects such as lift stations and lagoon upgrades.”
The Utilities Department is designed to operate on a cost-recovery basis in order to avoid burdening taxpayers, according to the report.
“If the Utilities Department were to operate at a deficit, taxpayers would not only pay for their utility services but would also face an increase in property taxes to cover that shortfall.”
`The administration report points out that while water rates, and the methods for calculating those rates, vary among communities in the region, they are all comparable.
“Warman’s fee structure is designed to encourage resource conservation,” according to the report. “Residents who maintain low usage will find Warman’s rates more favourable compared to neighbouring communities such as Martensville and Osler.
“Based on 2025 rates, Warman breaks even with Martensville at approximately 3,000 imperial gallons of usage per month ($114.94 in Warman vs. $113.05 in Martensville).
“Warman also remains below Osler’s rates up to roughly 5,000 imperial gallons. Approximately 88% of Warman’s population uses 5,000 imperial gallons or less per month, meaning most residents pay less than those in surrounding communities.”