It's official: the controversial Storm Water Utility—which was recently passed by city council—comes into effect tomorrow, Aug. 1, 2025.
The utility will see residents charged a flat rate of $9.80 per month per property, regardless of size. Funding the storm water sewer system’s operations and infrastructure as a standalone funding source, rather than competing for funding with other city projects. Current estimates from City administration claim the utility will generate $1.6 million annually from 13,701 properties.
Bylaw No. 5733, Storm Water Utility Bylaw was approved for creation during the 2025 Budget process to address issues with Moose Jaw's deteriorating storm water infrastructure which currently consists of:
- 79,800 metres of sewer pipes,
- 1,950 catch basins,
- 1,250 catch basins,
- 65 outfalls,
- 77 large diameter culverts,
- 20,000 metres of open channels,
- 450 metres of serpentine in Crescent Park,
- 1,000+ metres of large diameter culverts,
- 7 kilometres of open channels, and road crossings in Spring Creek.
Along with maintaining existing infrastructure, funds generated will also be used to accommodate future growth of the city through expansions to storm sewer infrastructure capacity.
With files from Shawn Slaght.