Proposed Waterworks Management Bylaw No. 4/2026

Proposed Waterworks Management Bylaw

The City of Yorkton is considering Bylaw No. 4/2026, a proposed new Waterworks Management Bylaw. This bylaw would replace the current Bylaw No. 4/2022 and set out the rules for how waterworks servicing, service connections, utility account administration, and related responsibilities are handled in Yorkton. The review was completed between 2024 and 2026, and if the bylaw is adopted, it would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This update is mainly about making the rules clearer and more current. It focuses on things like who can do work on a service connection, what owners are responsible for, how landlord and tenant utility accounts are handled, how frozen services are dealt with, and when the City can restrict or disconnect service. Administration also noted that the current utility consumption rates that took effect on January 1, 2026 remain unchanged.

What would change?

Clearer decision-making and administration

The proposed bylaw would formally assign interpretation, approvals, orders, and enforcement decisions to a Designated Officer, who would be the Director of Environmental Services or their designate. It would also make clear that overdue utility accounts are collected in accordance with The Cities Act.

A new section for landlord and tenant utility accounts

The proposed bylaw adds an entirely new Part 10 – Landlord Tenant Service Accounts. Administration identified landlord and tenant account management as one of the main areas where the current bylaw needed updating.

Stricter rules before work can be done on a service connection

Under the proposed bylaw, no person could construct, connect, reconnect, repair, replace, or expose any part of a service connection, or connect to the City’s waterworks or sanitary sewer system, without express written authorization from the Designated Officer. Work on City property would have to be completed by the City or a City-approved contractor. The City may also require qualified, City-approved contractors for work on private property.

Clearer rules about who pays for service connection work

The proposed bylaw states that the owner is responsible for the total cost of their service connection from the City main to the premises, including construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement, except for the initial installation of the water meter and later meter work the City considers necessary. It also makes clear that owners are responsible for costs tied to locating or relocating other utilities or obstacles that affect the work.

More clarity around cost estimates and payment options

If the City agrees to install or replace a service connection, the property owner would first receive a site investigation and cost estimate. The bylaw clarifies that this estimate is based on visible conditions, and the Designated Officer could revise the cost if hidden conditions are discovered underground. For some smaller residential service reconstructions, the Designated Officer could approve an upset limit. The bylaw also allows owners to pay over 48 monthly payments with no interest, and any unpaid amount after four years could be transferred to the property tax account.

Water and sewer services may need to be replaced together in some cases

If water and sewer services are in a common trench and have reached end of life or otherwise need replacement to modern standards, the proposed bylaw would allow the City to require that both services be replaced at the same time as one coordinated job.

Owners would need to keep curb stops visible and accessible

The proposed bylaw would make it the owner’s responsibility to keep the curb stop cover at finished grade, clearly visible, and free from obstructions such as landscaping, structures, or other materials that could block emergency or operational access.

Clearer freezing and thawing rules

The proposed bylaw says every customer must keep the service connection accessible and protected from freezing at their own risk and expense. The related change register also clarifies that if a water connection freezes a second or subsequent time, thawing becomes the occupant’s responsibility, including associated costs. If a line freezes inside a premises, the customer would be directed to contact a certified plumber at their own cost. The change register also adds inspection rights for premises that are or have historically been on continuous run advisement.

Clearer rules for decommissioning a service

If an owner wants to permanently discontinue water service, demolish a building, or remove or abandon a service connection, the proposed bylaw would require a written request to the City. The service would then be decommissioned at the main by the City or a City-authorized contractor, and the costs would be borne by the owner.

Clearer expectations when a property is vacated or service is deactivated

If a customer is vacating a property and wants water service deactivated, they would need to give reasonable notice to the Water Billing Department. The proposed bylaw also states that when a premise is vacated, the owner is to turn off the nearest downstream isolation valve from the water meter inside the building. Charges remain the customer’s responsibility up to the date notice is filed.

Clearer situations where service may be disconnected or interrupted

The proposed bylaw lists several situations where water service may not be reactivated, or may be disconnected, including failure to open an account, refusal of entry, fraudulent misrepresentation, non-payment, excess leakage or water wastage, contamination or potential contamination, theft of water or meter tampering, insufficient protection from freezing or damage, or contravention of legislation, the bylaw, or related policies and regulations. It also allows the City to interrupt or discontinue service without notice in emergencies or when needed to protect public health or infrastructure.

A note on fees

The overall bylaw review also reorganizes how service fees are governed. Administration reported that service fees are being moved out of the old Schedule A in the management bylaw and into the Water and Sewer Rates Bylaw for easier review, while the public notice process is focused on the management bylaw because of the broader operational changes it contains.

Learn more

To view the full report, proposed bylaw, and supporting materials, visit yorkton.ca, click Council Meetings, and select the Agenda and Information Package for the March 30, 2026 Regular Council Meeting. Administration indicated that the redline bylaws and Change Register would also be available for public review.

Questions or feedback

Questions about the proposed bylaw can be directed to:
City of Yorkton Environmental Services
Phone: (306) 828-2470
Email: chunt@yorkton.ca

If residents would like to provide feedback to Council, written submissions must be received by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 and sent to:
Jessica Matsalla, Director of Legislation and Procedures (City Clerk)
37 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, SK
Box 400, Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3
jmatsalla@yorkton.ca

Council will also hear from anyone wishing to speak to the proposed bylaw at the April 20, 2026 Regular Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall.

Proposed Waterworks Management Bylaw

The City of Yorkton is considering Bylaw No. 4/2026, a proposed new Waterworks Management Bylaw. This bylaw would replace the current Bylaw No. 4/2022 and set out the rules for how waterworks servicing, service connections, utility account administration, and related responsibilities are handled in Yorkton. The review was completed between 2024 and 2026, and if the bylaw is adopted, it would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This update is mainly about making the rules clearer and more current. It focuses on things like who can do work on a service connection, what owners are responsible for, how landlord and tenant utility accounts are handled, how frozen services are dealt with, and when the City can restrict or disconnect service. Administration also noted that the current utility consumption rates that took effect on January 1, 2026 remain unchanged.

What would change?

Clearer decision-making and administration

The proposed bylaw would formally assign interpretation, approvals, orders, and enforcement decisions to a Designated Officer, who would be the Director of Environmental Services or their designate. It would also make clear that overdue utility accounts are collected in accordance with The Cities Act.

A new section for landlord and tenant utility accounts

The proposed bylaw adds an entirely new Part 10 – Landlord Tenant Service Accounts. Administration identified landlord and tenant account management as one of the main areas where the current bylaw needed updating.

Stricter rules before work can be done on a service connection

Under the proposed bylaw, no person could construct, connect, reconnect, repair, replace, or expose any part of a service connection, or connect to the City’s waterworks or sanitary sewer system, without express written authorization from the Designated Officer. Work on City property would have to be completed by the City or a City-approved contractor. The City may also require qualified, City-approved contractors for work on private property.

Clearer rules about who pays for service connection work

The proposed bylaw states that the owner is responsible for the total cost of their service connection from the City main to the premises, including construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement, except for the initial installation of the water meter and later meter work the City considers necessary. It also makes clear that owners are responsible for costs tied to locating or relocating other utilities or obstacles that affect the work.

More clarity around cost estimates and payment options

If the City agrees to install or replace a service connection, the property owner would first receive a site investigation and cost estimate. The bylaw clarifies that this estimate is based on visible conditions, and the Designated Officer could revise the cost if hidden conditions are discovered underground. For some smaller residential service reconstructions, the Designated Officer could approve an upset limit. The bylaw also allows owners to pay over 48 monthly payments with no interest, and any unpaid amount after four years could be transferred to the property tax account.

Water and sewer services may need to be replaced together in some cases

If water and sewer services are in a common trench and have reached end of life or otherwise need replacement to modern standards, the proposed bylaw would allow the City to require that both services be replaced at the same time as one coordinated job.

Owners would need to keep curb stops visible and accessible

The proposed bylaw would make it the owner’s responsibility to keep the curb stop cover at finished grade, clearly visible, and free from obstructions such as landscaping, structures, or other materials that could block emergency or operational access.

Clearer freezing and thawing rules

The proposed bylaw says every customer must keep the service connection accessible and protected from freezing at their own risk and expense. The related change register also clarifies that if a water connection freezes a second or subsequent time, thawing becomes the occupant’s responsibility, including associated costs. If a line freezes inside a premises, the customer would be directed to contact a certified plumber at their own cost. The change register also adds inspection rights for premises that are or have historically been on continuous run advisement.

Clearer rules for decommissioning a service

If an owner wants to permanently discontinue water service, demolish a building, or remove or abandon a service connection, the proposed bylaw would require a written request to the City. The service would then be decommissioned at the main by the City or a City-authorized contractor, and the costs would be borne by the owner.

Clearer expectations when a property is vacated or service is deactivated

If a customer is vacating a property and wants water service deactivated, they would need to give reasonable notice to the Water Billing Department. The proposed bylaw also states that when a premise is vacated, the owner is to turn off the nearest downstream isolation valve from the water meter inside the building. Charges remain the customer’s responsibility up to the date notice is filed.

Clearer situations where service may be disconnected or interrupted

The proposed bylaw lists several situations where water service may not be reactivated, or may be disconnected, including failure to open an account, refusal of entry, fraudulent misrepresentation, non-payment, excess leakage or water wastage, contamination or potential contamination, theft of water or meter tampering, insufficient protection from freezing or damage, or contravention of legislation, the bylaw, or related policies and regulations. It also allows the City to interrupt or discontinue service without notice in emergencies or when needed to protect public health or infrastructure.

A note on fees

The overall bylaw review also reorganizes how service fees are governed. Administration reported that service fees are being moved out of the old Schedule A in the management bylaw and into the Water and Sewer Rates Bylaw for easier review, while the public notice process is focused on the management bylaw because of the broader operational changes it contains.

Learn more

To view the full report, proposed bylaw, and supporting materials, visit yorkton.ca, click Council Meetings, and select the Agenda and Information Package for the March 30, 2026 Regular Council Meeting. Administration indicated that the redline bylaws and Change Register would also be available for public review.

Questions or feedback

Questions about the proposed bylaw can be directed to:
City of Yorkton Environmental Services
Phone: (306) 828-2470
Email: chunt@yorkton.ca

If residents would like to provide feedback to Council, written submissions must be received by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 and sent to:
Jessica Matsalla, Director of Legislation and Procedures (City Clerk)
37 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, SK
Box 400, Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3
jmatsalla@yorkton.ca

Council will also hear from anyone wishing to speak to the proposed bylaw at the April 20, 2026 Regular Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall.