The Utilities department administers water and wastewater services to five hamlets, seven rural areas, one water co-op, and two First Nations. On October 15, 2019, Big Lakes County assumed ownership of the Kinuso Rural Water Co-op and on January 1, 2020, the County assumed ownership of the West End Water Co-op.
Utilities is responsible for:
- 1 Level 3 Water Treatment Plant
- 3 Level 2 Water Treatment Plants
- 3 Level 1 Water storage facilities
- 5 Truck fill systems
- 12 Level 1 distribution systems
- 400+ kms of potable water service lines
- 4 Level 1 Waste Water treatment lagoons
- 9 Waste water lift stations
- 5 Level 1 Waste water collection systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions for using your debit card at water truckfill stations
- Debit cards need to have “flash pay” activated (please see your bank if reader does not accept your debit card)
- Tap is not available
- Hold your card up to the reader until transaction is complete. Please note, you must hold your debit card to the screen until an approved message appears
- LED screen will advise when the transaction is complete
- If you have tried all the above and are still having problems, please call the Utility Department on-call phone at 780-523-8691
You want to apply for a hookup, but there are no service connections to the lot
- Local improvement charges on the lot are not taken into consideration. (Off-site levies on newly sub-divided lots are considered to offset a portion of costs related to water/sewer infrastructure.)
- The customer is responsible for the actual costs of constructing service connections. The customer must pre-pay a $2500 deposit;
- The customer’s choice of contractor must be pre-approved by County staff;
- The service connections must be inspected by County staff upon completion;
- Upon approval of construction, the customer’s deposit will be refunded.
You want to apply for a hookup, but the property is not served by a water/sewer main
- The customer will have to assume costs required to install the water/sewer mains
- The customer will have to pay to have the service connections installed
- Contact the County Utility Department for further information
You want to apply for a hookup, but you live outside of hamlet boundaries
Customer is connecting to County Main Lines
- $8,000
- The customer will have to assume costs required to install the water/sewer mains;
- The customer will have to pay to have the service connections installed;
- Contact the County Utility Department for further information
You want to connect to a water co-op line
- The customer must apply to the appropriate water co-op
- Co-ops will charge their standard hook-up fee
- Co-ops will advise the County of the new customer
Tips to Keep Water Pipes from Freezing
Tip #1: Keep the Heat On
If you or your tenants are leaving for a period of time, make sure that the heat is kept on your property. It may be difficult to convince your tenants to leave their heat on when they are away, especially if they are responsible for paying their own utilities. You should inform them that the heat can help prevent pipes from freezing, and if pipes freeze and burst, it can cause a lot of water damage to the property and to their possessions.
Tip #2: Allow Faucet to Drip
If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, you can allow the faucet to drip slightly.
Allowing the faucet to be open like this will relieve pressure in the system. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. Allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus, keep the pipe from bursting.
Tip #3: Keep Interior Doors Open
Pipes are often located in cabinets. When the temperatures drop, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.
Tip #4: Seal Up Cracks and Holes
You should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in.
Tip #5: Apply Heating Tape
For pipes that are easily accessible, the electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing. This tape can be applied directly to the pipe.
Tip #6: Add Extra Insulation
Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation could be the cure.
Water/Sewer Rates
Hamlet Residents & Others on County Lines, Southside, Heart River, High Prairie East, Big Meadow, Kinuso Rural, Kapawe’no First Nation, Northwest, West End, North End, & Riverbend | $7.06/cubic meter |
Keylock Customers | $7.06/cubic meter |
Two Month Minimum Charge for County Customers | 10 cubic meters |
Service Charge for independent Co-ops | $5.50 per month |
Service Charge for Keylocks | $5.50 per month |
Sewer Rates | 50% of water consumption |
These rates were approved by Bylaw 02-2023.
Visit the Utilities Consumer Advocate website to compare electricity and gas prices in your area, visit historical rates, or get help resolving water and energy utility-related issues.