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
  • 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
  • 5 Truck fill systems
    • Enilda
    • Faust
    • Grouard
    • Joussard
    • Kinuso

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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

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
  • 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

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 Customers10 cubic meters
Service Charge for independent Co-ops$5.50 per month
Service Charge for Keylocks$5.50 per month
Sewer Rates50% 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.