Pembroke property owners will get their water and sewer bills later than usual this year. The city announced Monday it is holding back the first two quarters of metered billing and the third quarter of flat rate billing while it reviews new rates for 2026 through 2030. The delay was posted on the city website June 29.
City officials said a new rate study that began in 2025 covers the years 2026 to 2035 and will go before council at a special meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at 6 p.m. in council chambers. Under Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act, the city must have a financial plan that brings in enough money to keep drinking water safe and treat wastewater. Those plans are typically updated every five years.
For residents with water meters, the bill for January through March will be due August 31, and the bill for April through June will be due September 29. Q2 meter reading has been delayed, the city said. People on flat rates can expect their third quarter bills by the end of July, with payment due August 31.
Any pre-payments already made will be applied to the next bill, the city said. The delay notice stressed the pause is needed so the new rate study can be properly reviewed and approved.
The city’s draft 2026 budget had estimated the average residential customer would pay about $94 more this year, or roughly $7.87 a month, for water and sewer to maintain drinking water, wastewater treatment, and system renewal. The previous rate study was done in 2019-2020 by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. and covered 2020 through 2029, as noted in the 2025 budget presentation. Pembroke’s agreement with the Township of Laurentian Valley, which gets its water from the city, requires Pembroke to base its rate increases on that study.
Residents with billing questions can call the city’s tax department at 613-735-6821 extension 1323.
