For many residents, an increase may mean an extra $3.58 to $4.18 per month, or $60 to $70 per year, on a typical household water and wastewater bill. Staff report average monthly bills will range from $99.27 to $121.75
North Bay residents could see an increase in water and wastewater rates next year, according to the City’s proposed 2026 budget, though overall costs remain lower than other northern Ontario communities.
Council will review the budget and rates at a special committee meeting tonight.
The City’s 2026 Water & Wastewater Operating Budget calls for a 5.27 per cent increase in revenue collected through user rates, or roughly $1.45 million.
The proposed increase, according to the report, will support infrastructure maintenance, comply with provincial standards, and offset inflationary pressures on utilities, materials, and services.
The budget also includes transfers from capital and operating reserves to mitigate some of the financial impact. The City says North Bay’s water and wastewater reserves are at $17.2 million.
For many residents, this increase may mean an extra $3.58 to $4.18 per month on a typical household water and wastewater bill. Staff report average monthly bills will range from $99.27 to $121.75.
The City’s 2025–2034 Water Financial Plan says the system is expected to remain “financially stable” over the next decade. The plan outlines long-term strategies to balance revenue needs, infrastructure repairs, and service delivery. Hemson Consulting Ltd., which aided in the plan’s development, will present findings during tonight’s meeting. Council is being asked to approve the plan, which will be posted for public review.
The average household using 200 cubic metres annually has in the past paid $1,213, below the northern Ontario average by $311 and below the provincial average by $180, according to a 2024 municipal study.
North Bay ranks fourth lowest, out of 11, in total residential water and wastewater costs among northern Ontario municipalities. Greater Sudbury comes in at $1,606, Thunder Bay at $1,393, Timmins at $1,123, and Sault St. Marie at $1,119.
The City continues to support conservation programs, including rebates for low-flow toilets, with more than 55 per cent of allocated funding already used.
“Small actions like installing a low-flow toilet can help families lower their bills while conserving water,” City Staff notes.
Rates should maintain the current 40 per cent fixed / 60 per cent variable structure, designed to balance predictable revenue with usage-based billing that encourages conservation, according to the report.
A public meeting on the rates and user fees will be on Wednesday, Nov 26. Council will then meet on Dec. 9 to approve the operating budget, rates, and other user fees.