Parkland County responds to ARROW Utilities' 2026 sewer rate increase

PARKLAND COUNTY -- Parkland County is advising residents and businesses of a significant sewer rate adjustment for 2026, driven primarily by ARROW Utilities’ decision to increase the wholesale wastewater treatment rate it charges municipalities by 34%—from $2.05 per cubic metre in 2025 to $2.75 in 2026. This latest rate hike follows consecutive increases by ARROW since 2023, representing an 83% cumulative rise over four years.

ARROW Utilities, a regional commission serving 13 municipalities in the Edmonton region, cites upgrades to aging infrastructure and major capital projects—including the $166 million Train 4 treatment plant expansion—as necessitating the latest rate increase. These wholesale wastewater rate increases affect all member municipalities of ARROW Utilities.

The impact of this on Parkland County will be a 29% increase for residential customers, and a 39% increase for commercial/industrial customers. The increased rates will be reflected on 2026 utility bills for the usage period beginning January 2026 onwards.

Mayor Rod Shaigec emphasized the need for greater transparency and predictability from ARROW in the future – something he intends to raise directly at the next ARROW board meeting in late January 2026. Following the 2025 municipal election, Mayor Shaigec is now the County’s representative on the ARROW Utilities board. 

“We understand the importance of maintaining reliable wastewater services, but these sustained and significant increases create real challenges for municipalities and ratepayers,” said Mayor Shaigec. “Parkland County is calling for more openness and transparency from ARROW. We’d like to see a clear long-term plan for sustainable, predictable rate adjustments to allow us to budget responsibly and protect residents from any more of these sudden, steep increases.”

Parkland County has been pacing local upgrades to maintain service reliability while minimizing cost increases.