Rocky Mountain House, Alberta residents who receive paper utility bills by mail will see a new $2 fee starting in July 2026. The Town of Rocky Mountain House says the charge covers the cost of printing and mailing, which was previously included in everyone’s rates.
The change means customers who stick with paper will pay an extra $2 on each bill. Anyone can avoid the fee by signing up for free email billing, which delivers bills as soon as they are ready.
Mayor Shane Boniface and town council approved the new fee as part of the 2026 budget during a meeting on December 16, 2025. The budget also includes a 2.87 percent increase in property tax revenue and a new $37-million mechanical wastewater treatment plant that will add about $1 million a year in operating costs.
With the plant coming online, the average home using about 14 cubic metres of water a month will see a roughly $10 increase on its utility bill. Even with that rise, the average monthly charge of $152 remains below the $164 average for similar communities, according to the town.
The $2 paper bill fee is part of a wider move by municipalities to shift mailing costs onto those who use the service. Strathcona County started charging $1.50 in April 2026 and offers exemptions for people without internet access. The City of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, also began charging $2 for paper water bills in June 2026.
Rocky Mountain House, home to an estimated 7,885 people as of July 2024, is one of the fastest-growing towns in Alberta. Residents can switch to eBilling by visiting the town’s website or contacting the utility department.
