Water FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is my municipal tap water safe to drink?

Yes. The CBRM Water Utility operates under the regulations of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment Drinking Water Strategy and all water meets or exceeds some of the highest national safety standards for drinking water in Canada. The Utility conducts more than 12,000 individual recorded tests every year.

How much chlorine is in my water?

We are required by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour to maintain a chlorine residual throughout the distribution system of between 0.2 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L (milligrams per litre = parts per million). Although chlorine residual can vary throughout the year for may reason, it will always be within this range. We add enough chlorine at the treatment plant to make sure we meet the minimum required amount at the most remote areas of the distribution system.

Aren't there "safer" disinfectants such as UV?

To protect against microbial contamination, a disinfectant must be used that maintains a residual (does not disappear). Chlorine is the only well understood disinfectant that maintains a residual. Other disinfectants such as ozone and ultraviolet do not maintain a residual.

What if I don't like the taste of chlorine?

Placing a pitcher or jug of water in the refrigerator for a few hours will allow any chlorine taste to disappear.

Does using a home water filter make the water safer or healthier to drink?

The devices are not needed to make CBRM tap water safe. Filters may alter the taste, smell or appearance of water, but they don't necessarily make the water safer or healthier. Please keep in mind that filters require regular maintenance; if ignored, water quality problems may occur.

Where is my water shut-off valve?

In most homes or businesses, a water shut-off valve should be found where the water line comes into the building. It is critical that every adult in the house knows where this valve is located. It also should be operated (turned off/on) regularly to make sure you can get control of the water in the building. The Water Utility may have an underground valve at the property line, however, that valve is there for Utility purposes and should not be relied upon by a homeowner to control water flow in the house. Testing the valve every couple of months will give you the peace of mind that you can stop water flow in the house in case of an emergency.

New! Wastewater Services - FAQ

1.     Where does wastewater go?

Wastewater leaves residential or commercial property through a service lateral and enters a piped collection system. It then either travels to a treatment facility, where it is treated before being discharged to the environment, or it is sometimes discharged directly to the environment without treatment. New federal regulations now require all wastewater be treated to a high standard before being discharged so those areas without treatment will now require new facilities to comply.

2.     Who is responsible for wastewater service delivery?

Currently, wastewater service delivery is the responsibility of CBRM Engineering and Public Works Department and is provided by the CBRM Wastewater Department.

3.     How do we currently recover wastewater costs?

Prior to April 1, 2024, wastewater costs were charged on your tax bill at a rate of $ 0.191 per $100 of assessment. Property assessment has no relationship to use of wastewater services.

CBRM Council amended the W-100 Wastewater Discharge Bylaw on March 26th, 2024. The amendment allows for the cost recover of wastewater services by a user pay model. The schedule of rates and charges for wastewater for 2024 is attached as “W-100 Wastewater Discharge Bylaw – Schedule A 2024”.

4.     Why did the approval of the new user fee seem to happen so fast?

The discussions surrounding financial reform to wastewater services were first brought to Council on July 5th, 2022. An information report was then provided to Council on November 8th, 2022. A second information report was brought before Council on June 7th, 2023. A final issue paper was presented on December 12th, 2023, instructing staff to prepare the by-law to create the new user fee. Council was very diligent and did not make this decision without significant discussion and consideration of key issues. All documents and meeting archives can be found on our website. https://www.cbrm.ns.ca/cbrm-meetings-and-minutes.html

5.     What are the benefits of a user pay model?

A user pay model applies a water in/ water out approach, which is widely accepted as industry best practice for fair and equitable cost recovery of wastewater service. Most of the water that enters a property, leaves as wastewater so wastewater is directly proportional to the amount of water supplied. The approach is fair and equitable, as all users pay for their fair share of services. There is an element of user control as opposed to property assessment, which property owners have no control over.

6.     Will the new sewer fee be calculated like a water bill?

The new wastewater user fee will be very similar to a water bill. The new user pay approach for wastewater is based on a “water in - water out” approach and recognizes that most of the potable water entering a property is eventually discharged as wastewater (showers, dishwashers, laundry, etc.). Since most residents receiving services are connected to both municipal water and sewer systems, the application of new user fee is straight forward as the large majority existing water customers are already metered. There are some existing water customers, however, who do not have a water meter. This is typically due to physical limitations within the dwelling that prevent the installation of the meter. These customers are charged a flat rate for service based on the average volume of water used by customers in a similar customer class. The approach is widely accepted and used in Utilities across North America and Europe. Most other utilities across Nova Scotia utilize this practice.

7.     I am connected to sewer, but my water comes from my own well. How will I be billed?

Customers on private wells but connected to city sewer, such as Tanglewood, Cantley Village, Fatima Drive, are referred to as “Wastewater Only” customers. The new user fee for wastewater only customers is intended to be applied in the same manner as unmetered water accounts, based on the average volume of wastewater discharged by customers in a similar customer class. The intention has always been to allow “Wastewater Only” customers the option to install a water meter if they feel they use less than the average customer, and to be billed on the actual volume through said meter. The costs of the meter installation would be the responsibility of the homeowner; therefore, they must weigh the potential savings against the costs of installation, which vary based on the complexity of install. (ie; finished basement vs. unfinished, changes to internal plumbing, etc.)

8.     I am a “wastewater only” customer but I think I use less water than the average household. How do I get a meter on my well?

Staff are currently revisiting the policy for meter installation for “Wastewater Only” customers, which will clearly define the process in which a meter is obtained, installed, inspected, and read. The details of this will be provided to Council for approval and communicated to customers in the coming weeks, as “Wastewater Only” customers are not expected to receive their first bill until July 2024.

9.     How often do I pay my bill?

Billing will occur quarterly (90-day intervals). The exception for some will be the first bill, which will coincide with your existing water bill. You will only be billed for charges incurred after April 1st, 2024. As a result, you’re first wastewater bill may not reflect 90 days of use and may seem low.

10. How can a user control their bill?

A user can control their bill by using less water. They can replace old fixtures with more modern and efficient ones (which often can be associated with manufacturer rebate programs) or they can simply only use water for necessities. The element of control is unique to user pay as there is no control over tax assessment and changes to tax rates requires council ratification. Furthermore, in a Commission structure, the opportunity for public participation on the board allows for public input at the board level in all aspects of wastewater service delivery.

11. How are other local municipalities dealing with wastewater financing?

No other major town or municipality in the province or the Atlantic Region is known to use a taxation approach for cost recovery of Wastewater Services. However, only one wastewater utility is fully regulated (Halifax Water). All other municipalities have rates that are governed by bylaws and ratified by council. The accuracy of the charges for cost recovery in the various municipalities across Atlantic Canada varies and, in many cases, the true costs are not properly accounted for. In many instances, debt servicing and other departmental costs are grouped into the general tax rate, so the user fees only cover a portion of the true costs of service. The major difference with CBRM compared to other local municipalities is high cost of compliance, mainly due to the unique geographical challenges surrounding wastewater service delivery. This brings about concerns with respect to customer affordability and capacity to meet regulatory requirements.

12. What other changes in wastewater service delivery are being proposed?

It is being recommended that CBRM implement a Combined Water/ Wastewater Commission subject to the Public Utilities Act, with a user pay cost recovery model to recognize true costs of service and with oversight by the NSUARB. This will allow for a combined water and wastewater management structure for more efficient and effective service delivery, and utilizing industry best practice for governance, cost recovery and utility management. The commission would be responsible for the delivery of both water and wastewater services, allowing for consistent and responsible stewardship of the water resource from source to discharge.

13. What will the structure of the Commission Board be?

There are many options for Commission Board make up, but CBRM will retain a majority controlling interest. A combination of Mayor/Council, staff and the public would likely make up the board composition and board appointment would be established through legislation.

14. Will the Wastewater rates keep going up?

The future expansion of wastewater services to meet federal discharge guidelines will result in rate increases. How much will depend on future construction costs and funding from other levels of government.

15. What is the intent of the user fee?

The intent of the user fee is to modernize the cost recovery for wastewater services to a more fair and equitable distribution of costs for all customers. There will be some outliers where some large increases or decreases may be experienced, but it will all ultimately depend on usage. The fees ensure that all users will pay a similar cost for similar levels of service. The financial reform is a key step towards achieving compliance with federal regulations, which at minimum will require major funding contributions from federal and provincial governments to keeps costs affordable for our users.

16. Who is responsible to set the rates for wastewater?

Current wastewater rates are approved by CBRM Council as described in “W-100 Wastewater Discharge Bylaw – Schedule A 2024”. Costs are to be reviewed annually and Schedule A of the W-100 Wastewater Discharge Bylaw will be amended to ensure full cost recovery of service. CBRM Council will need to approve any rate increases.

At such time when a regulated Commission is established, the NSUARB will take over rate setting duties from CBRM Council. The NSUARB rate setting process is transparent and open to the public, with legislation that requires that rates be “just and reasonable”. The rates will be enough to cover the cost of service and apportioned fairly across customer classes, with no users being exempt from charges.

17. What will be the effects on low-income families?

The assumption that a low tax assessment coincides with an inability to pay is incorrect. In addition to the ability to control costs by using less water, better affordability supports can be explored to impact more directly those most negatively affected by increasing costs. Council and staff share similar concerns and more targeted affordability programs should be considered, including changes to low-income property tax exemption policy. Conservation programs to aid in reducing water usage are currently in place through ACAP Cape Breton.

18. Will the implementation of fees be phased in?

It is recommended to not phase in the implementation of rates. The service level received at the property line will continue to be the same for all. Proposed construction schedule is subject to change based on availability of funding. We are a single municipality, and we all benefit collectively from the improvements to the local environment associated with the collective wastewater treatment. Under the current taxation model, all residents pay the same tax rate for wastewater service, regardless of local costs incurred. We would expect to continue with the same line of thought. The approach is not inconsistent with how CBRM typically funds infrastructure as financial resources are pooled and spent based on need, and not divided up by area.

19. Will there be any effects on growth?

The disproportionate nature of the taxation approach is a deterrent to commercial growth and new residential construction. If CBRM continues with a taxation model for wastewater cost recovery, this gap between customer classes will increase as taxes increase. A move towards a user pay model is expected to have a positive effect on both commercial and residential growth.

20. What if I have a well but am connected to municipal sewer?

Provisions are made for those customers on well but connected to sewer. Since there is no measurement of water entering the property, they will receive a bill for sewer only. The bill is essentially based on the average of all 5/8 water customers. If the customer wants to challenge this estimate of usage, they can install a meter on the water source entering the dwelling (at their cost) to determine if they are using less than estimated average quantity.

21. Can we expand the service area?

Service area expansion has always been at the discretion of CBRM Council. Council has the power to set the service area boundaries and will retain that power. Should wastewater services become regulated, the costs of future wastewater service expansion would not be from the proposed wastewater rates, as per NSUARB policy (like that of water). The funding for such expansion would have to come via some other sources, such as a local improvement charges, be included in the general CBRM capital program, or from provincial or federal programs, etc.

22. What about stormwater?

Stormwater will remain the responsibility of Engineering & Public Works, along with transportation, fleet, transit, solid waste infrastructure and services.

23. How are customers being kept informed?

Updates will be provided on the municipal website, on social media and through news releases. Councillors are also communicating directly with residents.