Big Rate Increases Loom For Some Nova Scotians

If you’re a multi-residential property owner/manager in Halifax, strap in for some serious increases to water cost over the next 2-3 years. Halifax Water is asking for a substantial rate hike. According to their recent application to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB), residential water, wastewater and storm water bills are slated to increase by 16.2% in 2025/26, followed by 17.6% in 2026/27. That translates to an estimated average annual increase of about $148 per household/rental unit for 2025/26 and another $186 per household/rental unit in 2026/27. These increases are proposed to help address mounting operating deficits and aging infrastructure as reported by Global Newshalifaxwater.ca.

Halifax Water cites inflation, dwindling reserve funds, rising interest costs and deferred upgrades as key drivers behind these increases. While rate hikes are increasingly common, the proposed increases in Halifax are some of the largest rate hikes seen in a major city anywhere in Canada since the pandemic began. Most major cities held off on water rate increases during COVID to keep utility costs flat for families and business owners already burdened by financial struggles. As a result, cities like Halifax are playing catch up to keep up with their substantial rise in operating and repair costs.

It is expected that rate increases of this magnitude will be introduced or continue in many aging cities country wide. Other cities like Montreal QC and Hamilton ON have announced a need for long term increases to water cost to tackle infrastructure updates. Montreal city council has cited dozens of km’s of water supply piping that is leaking and in need of immediate attention. Likewise, Hamilton city council has confirmed double digit water rate increases are likely for the next decade to tackle their infrastructure issues. While Halifax appears to be the most recent victim, they are not the first and will not be the last in this latest epidemic of drastic increases to water cost for Canadians.

If you live in one of these affected areas, or any area where water rates have been climbing, the only way to tackle your increased water cost is to build a plan that supports reducing your properties overall water consumption. For multi family properties the examples below provide the best results, with minimal change to routine or user experience. Let’s have a look.

1. Retrofit Water Fixtures

• Toilets: Low-flow 3 litre toilets significantly reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance. Modern low flow toilets are also low cost in comparison to major appliance replacement or other water savings measuers that don’t offer the same savings values. Replacing you toilets can likely reduce your water cost by 10%-20% if you pick the right model. Here’s our top pick for low flow toilet in Canada. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hennessy-hinchcliffe-proficiency-2-piece-3-lpf-single-flush-elongated-comfort-height-toilet-in-white-vitreous-china/1001912982

• Showerheads: Swapping out a standard showerhead for a 1.5GPM WaterSense-certified model can save upwards of 2,700 liters per person annually, translating to noticeable bill reductions across households/units. Try an Evolve Smart Shower system to save even more water and reduce your water heating fuel costs as well. You can buy Evolve direct from Water Matrix. www.watermatrix.com/evolve

2. Replace Basic Toilet Parts

• Parts Replacement - Simple but effective: Replacing worn-out flappers, valves or fill mechanisms can eliminate continuous drips that waste hundreds if not thousands of liters monthly. Some toilet leaks are so subtle, that they aren’t even visible to the trained eye, making leak diagnosis tricky. Check out the results of our apartment flapper replacement programs available across Canada. www.watermatrix.com/toilet-part-renewal-service

• Improved performance: Where toilet parts have started to fail, flush performance can be weakened requiring double flushing to clear waste. Adding a second flush to every toilet use doubles water consumption associated with that fixture. Updating parts can restore peak performance, even in aging toilets and eliminate the need for that wasteful second flush.

3. Adopt Smart Leak-Detection Tech like LeakPRO from Water Matrix

• Proactive Toilet Leak Protection: Systems like LeakPRO continuously monitor motion at your toilet. When no motion is present, LeakPRO turns water supply to your toilet off, stopping leaks in real-time. When users approach to use the toilet, motion is detected and water is turned back on until their departure. This technology gives property owners live leak protection, stopping leaks as they start and reducing water bills by 10%+ at most apartment properties. Check out LeakPRO here. www.watermatrix.com/LeakPRO

• LeakPRO vs Parts Replacement: Replacing parts is the most common defense against leaks. However, this replacement cycle usually takes places every 4-5 years. What happens when a leak occurs sooner than your parts replacement program. LeakPRO gives you real-time defense against leaking toilets that are more frequently used, vandalized or defective, even when you’re not watching.

While Halifax Water’s proposed 16.2% and 17.6% increases over two years may seem steep, apartment and condo owners have powerful tools at their disposal. Simple retrofits, toilet part upgrades, and modern leak-detection technologies can offset these rising costs and help balance budgets, build resilience and foster more efficient dwelling places.

Reach out to our team today to learn about ways we can help you reduce water costs at your property, one drop at a time.