FAQs

2025 Proposed Utility Rates - Public Presentation

The City of Yorkton's Environmental Services Department is dedicated to providing exceptional water and wastewater services. As a self-sustaining entity, our operations are funded entirely through utility rate revenues—not tax dollars—ensuring the sustainable management of over 300 kilometers of water distribution and sewer collection mains, as well as multiple treatment facilities and reservoirs.

We are committed to transparency in all proposed and approved utility rate adjustments. To support this, we publicly share detailed information about the rate review process, which considers key factors such as essential capital investments, operational expenditures, and debt servicing. These elements ensure the continued delivery of reliable services while balancing fairness across consumer classes and aligning rates with peer utilities. Our approach prioritizes both current needs and the city's future growth.

2025 Proposed Utility Rates

Explore further to learn about our utility rate review process, rate models, proposals, and adjustments.

The Environmental Services Department manages critical infrastructure to support Yorkton’s water and wastewater systems, including:

- 12 Raw Water Pumping Stations (RWPS) across five well-fields
- 5 Raw Water Feeder Mains (RWFM) supplying the Queen Street Water Treatment Plant
- The Queen Street Water Treatment Plant (QSWTP) and its water storage reservoir
- The Highway 10 Pumping Station and its water storage reservoir
- The water tower elevated water storage reservoir
- Sanitary lift stations to move gravity-fed sewage uphill in low-lying areas
- The H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant for wastewater treatment

This interconnected system ensures the reliable delivery of safe drinking water, effective wastewater collection and treatment, and long-term sustainability for Yorkton’s growing community.

Stay informed about service changes, maintenance, and outages by downloading the Voyent Alert! app. This app provides real-time notifications and important updates for water, wastewater, and other city services directly to your mobile device.

Register now and stay effortlessly informed at www.yorkton.ca/voyentalert

An aquifer is a natural underground layer of rock or sediment that collects and holds water. It serves as a source of groundwater for communities, agriculture, and industry.

Groundwater is pumped from five different well fields using groundwater wells and raw water pumping stations. This raw water is then transported to the water treatment plant for processing and distribution.

Groundwater is the most economical and sustainable supply for Yorkton. The closest surface water source large enough to sustain the city is located over 60 km outside of Yorkton. Utilizing local aquifers allows Yorkton to maintain a reliable and high-quality water supply at a low cost.

Unlike surface water, we cannot see how much water is in the ground. Piezometers act as pinholes in a pincushion, providing data on groundwater levels and quality. This data allows Yorkton to accurately track impacts on local aquifers and ensure their sustainability.

Residents can help by consulting the City of Yorkton before performing excavations deeper than 1 meter to avoid disturbing sensitive areas. They can also responsibly dispose of hazardous materials and adhere to local water protection bylaws.

Abandoned wells can act as direct pathways for contaminants to enter aquifers. Decommissioning these wells ensures they are sealed and no longer pose a risk.

 Contact the City of Yorkton’s Environmental Services Department immediately to report any concerns.

This innovative system captures water treatment waste streams and purifies them through natural filtration. It reduces water waste, recharges the Logan Aquifer, and sustains the Logan Green Trout Pond—a popular location for free catch-and-release fishing.

 Recharge helps maintain groundwater levels, ensuring a reliable and sustainable water source for Yorkton both now and in the future.

Yes, the City of Yorkton's waterworks system operates under a permit issued by the Water Security Agency. The permit mandates strict testing protocols, record-keeping, sample collection, and compliance with water quality objectives.

Chlorine is used to disinfect the water and ensure safety throughout the distribution system. At times, especially in the morning or for low water users, a chlorine odor may be noticeable. Running the tap for a short period can help dissipate the smell.

Discoloration can occur when there is a sudden increase in water demand, which stirs up settled minerals in the distribution system. This can happen due to water main breaks, hydrant use, or construction activities. Running cold water for several minutes may help clear it.

Cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles introduced during aeration at the tap. These bubbles naturally rise and dissipate after a short time, leaving the water clear.

No, fluoride is not added to Yorkton's water. However, it is a naturally occurring mineral present in the water's chemistry at low concentrations.

The average total hardness of Yorkton's water is approximately 600 mg/L of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). In Canada, water with a hardness exceeding 300 mg/L is considered "very hard"; however, the aesthetic objective for groundwater in Saskatchewan is 800 mg/L.

To convert the total hardness from mg/L to grains per gallon, multiply by 0.07016. This equates to roughly 40 grains per gallon.

Boiling water causes calcium carbonate (a common mineral present in groundwater) to precipitate out, leaving deposits. These can be removed by cleaning with vinegar.

 The scum is caused by minerals, primarily from the water's hardness. This is a natural occurrence and does not affect water safety.

The City conducts annual water main flushing to remove iron, manganese, and other deposits from the distribution system. This ensures high water quality and helps maintain the system's efficiency.

The City maintains water mains, curb stops, water meters, and sanitary sewer mains. Property owners are responsible for their water and sewer service lines (from the main to their property) and all internal plumbing.

A curb stop is a valve that isolates your property’s water system from the City’s water distribution system. It allows the City to isolate water supply to a premise in case of emergencies or repairs.

Contact a certified plumber first. If the issue is confirmed to involve City infrastructure, or if you need the curb stop shut off, contact the City for assistance. If the leak is on a private line or internal plumbing, the property owner are responsible for the repair costs.

Yes, if a certified plumber determines the issue is on City infrastructure and the City confirms this after review, the City may reimburse the cost of the plumbing assessment.

The City performs regular inspections and maintenance to ensure system reliability and to reduce the risk of service interruptions.

Backflow occurs when water flows backward into the public water supply, potentially contaminating it. Backflow prevention devices protect the City’s water supply from cross-connections.

As defined within the National Plumbing Code of Canada; any property with potential cross-connections, such as irrigation systems, fire sprinklers, or boilers, is required to install and maintain a backflow prevention device.

Backflow prevention devices must be tested annually by a certified tester to comply with City bylaws and national plumbing codes.

Property owners are responsible for replacing their service lines from the City’s mains to their property. The City, however, maintains an interest in protecting connections to the water mains and has priced replacement services accordingly in its Water Servicing Bylaw.

During replacement, excavation work will occur to access your service line. Temporary water services may be provided, and restoration work will follow once the project is complete.

Insulate pipes in unheated areas, repair leaks promptly, and ensure your curb stop and shutoff valve are accessible.

Temporary water services are provided when permanent water infrastructure is undergoing repairs or upgrades to ensure a continuous supply of safe water.

An above-ground hose connects to your home or business while underground mains are out of service. This temporary system supplies potable water until the repairs are completed.

Yes, the temporary service is connected to the City’s treated water supply and is safe to use. However, residents are advised to follow any Drinking Water Advisories if issued.

You received a DWA because your water service may be disrupted due to system maintenance or emergency repairs, such as water main breaks or low-pressure conditions.

A “GREEN DWA Lifted” notice will be delivered once the City has completed water quality testing and confirmed the water is safe to consume.

Yes. Continue to boil your water for at least one minute until you receive the GREEN DWA Lifted notice.

Tap water can still be used for non-consumption purposes like laundry or bathing, but avoid swallowing the water.

Run your taps until the water runs clear, usually starting from the highest elevated tap to the lowest to also alleviate any air trapped within your plumbing system. You may also need to flush your hot water system.

While filters can remove some impurities, the City recommends boiling all water for drinking or using an alternate safe water source (e.g., bottled water) during a DWA.

Visit yorkton.ca or sign up for Voyent Alert! for more information about unplanned water service interruptions and advisories.