Municipal Water Rates in Canada, 1989 – Current Practices and Prices

Social Science Series No. 27

Abstract

This report presents a statistical summary of the major types of municipal water rate schedules in use in Canada in 1989. These types are flat, constant unit charges, declining block, increasing block, and complex water rates.

The data were derived primarily from a letter survey conducted by Environment Canada, which collected both water usage and pricing information in a format similar to surveys conducted in 1983 and 1986. Comparisons are made to the 1986 information, and a variety of price calculations are presented within national, provincial, and urban size groupings.

Some of the theoretical concerns raised by the different water pricing systems are presented, and the report ends with an evaluation of municipal water pricing practices in terms of cost recovery, equity, economic efficiency, and local acceptability.

The full version of this report is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.  (1 Mb)

Instructions on using this format are found on the Help page.

If the format is not accessible to you, print copies can be requested from:

Sustainable Water Management
Environmental Stewardship Branch
Environment Canada
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0H3
Fax: 819-934-5101 or
H2O@ec.gc.ca