Money down the drain: Regina’s sewer charge explained

You might not like what you see on the sewer portion of your water bill.

The City of Regina’s water bill is divided into two parts: the water you use and the water that goes down the drain.

But as you stand watering your lawn, you might wonder what you’re paying for as the water doesn’t go down the drain.

The sewer charge is based on 82 per cent of water used, according to the city’s calculation.

“What we are trying to do with our method is recognize that not all the water that people bring in to their home is necessarily going out through the drain,” explained Pat Wilson, manager of city water.

Those living in condos and the like might not feel like they’re getting the benefit of that calculation, while others with the sprinkler on could find their bill is higher in summer.

Wilson maintains the 82 per cent is calculated on water use over the course of the year and should balance out and be fair and equitable.

A calculation method is used by many municipalities because it is expensive and difficult to measure exactly how much water goes down the drain.

“Not surprisingly, it’s not like water coming through a water meter, which is nice and clean. You would be constantly dealing with clogging,” Wilson said. “There is just no way to know exactly what a household is using. We have to use a calculation.”

The calculation for commercial use is 98 per cent, as the city assumes most of the water used goes down the drain.