Fernie utility fees increase by up to 17% in 2026, after City approval of higher water and wastewater rates aimed at keeping essential infrastructure operating reliably.
Beginning next year, water fees will rise by 14.5 per cent and wastewater fees by 17 per cent. For a typical single-family home, that works out to roughly $140 more per year compared to 2025.
City officials say the increases are tied to a five-year rate plan (2026–2030) designed to fund ongoing maintenance and long-term replacement of aging underground systems — the pipes, pumps, reservoirs and treatment facilities that most residents never see but depend on daily.
In 2026, a standard home will pay $1,203 annually for water, wastewater and waste collection combined. Homes with suites will pay about $1,598 per year, condos approximately $987, and businesses roughly $811 annually.
The City’s position is straightforward: gradual, predictable increases are easier to manage than sharp spikes triggered by emergency repairs or deferred upgrades.
The City is also eliminating its long-standing 5% discount for residents who paid their annual utility bill in full before February 28.
The program was introduced when interest rates were much higher, and early lump-sum payments created a financial benefit for the City. With today’s lower rates, officials say the discount no longer makes financial sense and would cost about $20,000 per year to maintain — a cost that would ultimately be recovered through higher fees.
Ending the discount, the City says, keeps rates fairer across all households and ensures utility revenue goes directly toward maintaining infrastructure.
Water and wastewater systems are among the most expensive assets a municipality manages. Pipes eventually fail. Treatment equipment wears out. Growth adds pressure.
The approved 2026–2030 plan signals a shift toward steady reinvestment rather than reactive spending.
Residents who wish to enroll in e-billing can contact finance@fernie.ca with their property address and preferred email.
For Fernie households, the bottom line is simple: utility bills are going up in 2026 — and the City says the increases are intended to protect the long-term reliability of services most people only think about when they stop working.
