City of Dryden Water Meter Implementation and Business Plan - Water Rate Study

The City of Dryden will complete a Water Meter Implementation Business Plan and Water Rate Study to educate its residents and elected officials on the environmental and economic benefits of water conservation. The City’s current flat fee rate structure results in the overuse of water and inequalities in water billing. The goal is to demonstrate that water meters and a new equitable rate structure can be implemented without undue hardship on City budgets and taxpayers. The City will implement a simultaneous water conservation public education plan to inform all citizens on how to conserve water. The eventual capital project resulting from the study would include the installation of water meters on every residence and business. The three study components are a justification report for universal metering, a water metering implementation plan, and a public consultation plan. The City estimates that the implementation of a universal water metering program will reduce per capita water use by 30 percent, reduce wastewater treatment by 531 megalitres per year, decrease energy use for wastewater treatment by 300 megawatts, and provide a net reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 147 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The City believes that the project will help ensure the sustainability of its water supply and waterworks system.