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Water & Wastewater
Water
The City of Chestermere is committed to providing safe and reliable access to potable (drinking) water for our residents and businesses.
Treated water from the City of Calgary is supplied to an underground reservoir in Chestermere at the corner of Merganser Dr. West and Rainbow Rd. Water is distributed throughout the City from the central reservoir and pump station. The distribution system includes 75 km of water mains, associated valves, fire hydrants, and individual service connections.
Each home has a water meter installed to measure and record the amount of water used within your home or business. You are charged for the amount of water you use, and the quantity and rate are listed on your monthly utility bill.
Contact Us: Have questions about your water or need to turn off your water for a renovation? Contact us at 403-207-7071.
View or download the City's Water and Wastewater Service Guidelines.
Water Main Flushing
EPCOR annually conducts unidirectional flushing of the water lines in Chestermere. This water main cleaning process is part of regularly scheduled maintenance and ensures residents have clean and clear drinking water coming from their taps. The process involves flushing water lines in a particular area and involves the systematic closing of valves and opening of hydrants to create a single direction of flow.
During the flushing process, residents can expect temporarily cloudy water or low water pressure for the duration of the flush in your area. Your water won't be turned off, and you'll continue to receive uninterrupted water service to your home.
Read more information from EPCOR on unidirectional flushing.
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Utility Services
Mailing Address
105 Marina Road
Chestermere, AB
Phone: (403) 207-7071
For Water & Sewer Emergencies, contact EPCOR:
888-775-6677
- About Water Meters
- How to Read Your Meter
- Copper Water Services
- Water Meter Replacement Program
- Leak Detection Program
Water meters measure and record the amount of water used within your home or business. Typically, water meters have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years and are installed inside your utility room where the water pipe enters the building from the ground – usually in the basement.
Some of our meters are manually read while others can be read remotely. They have electronic reading devices that allow the meter reader to drive or walk past your home and pick up the meter reading without entering the property.
Requesting water meter access
Reasonable efforts will be made to read water meters every month. However, in circumstances when a meter read is not obtained, an estimate (based on an average of the past six months of consumption) will be calculated for your bill.
If an estimate is required for more than two consecutive months, the City may contact you to request access to the water meter to obtain an actual read; to complete a physical inspection; or for other purposes as required, incidental to the provision of water services.
Water Meter Reading Accuracy
Any time a customer raises a concern that their meter may have been misread, the City is able to manually reread the meter. The reading from the manual dials on the meter is always the official reading and will be used to adjust your bill if there is a problem. A manual read will also let us know if there have been any previous billing errors due to incorrectly recorded readings.
There are a variety of water meters in Chestermere homes and businesses. Click on the meter that looks most like yours for more information on how to read it.
| Neptune Ecoder (newer models) | Neptune Ecoder (older models) | Other Meters |
Over the last few years CUI observed that aging copper water service lines are developing leaks, contributing to increased and potentially significant water losses for Chestermere. In the past, CUI either used sacrificial anodes (a piece of metal that attracts corrosion instead of the copper pipe) or coordinated the replacement of pipes.
This project is complete but repairs or replacements will continue as needed.
The Water Meter Replacement Program exchanged aging water meters with new, technologically advanced meters. The upgraded reading technology allows the water meters to be read without entering your yard, home or business, making operations more efficient. The new meters also have a data logging function which continuously monitors water usage in 15-minute intervals. This function is tied to the leak indicator display that helps identify intermittent or continuous leaks.
While the full scale program is complete, water meters continue to be replaced as needed. Please contact us if you would like to discuss having your meter replaced.
Background
Each year, the City of Chestermere contends with water leaks within its water distribution system. Water leaks undermine the integrity of the water distribution system and cost taxpayers in lost water expenses. These leaks can go undetected because they drain into the ground and do not surface.
In 2020, the City and EPCOR agreed to proactively look for leaks. EPCOR began inspecting Curb Stops (CC) at residences and businesses and captured their GIS location. This work allows for faster locating of the CC when water needs to be shut off in the event of an emergency and the location is not readily visible.
This year, testing will continue with crews focused on the East Lakeview, Kinniburgh, Springmere and Hawkmere areas from April (beginning April 16) to July.
What’s happening?
- EPCOR will be identifying potential leaks at residences and businesses in Chestermere.
- A leak detector tool will connect to the CC so that our Operator can listen for running water in the pipe.
- In addition, EPCOR will be capturing the GIS location of each Curb Stop for quick access should water need to be turned off in the event of an emergency.
Timeline
- EPCOR will be in East Lakeview, Kinniburgh, Springmere and Hawkmere areas this spring and summer.
- This work will continue to take place until all Curb Stops have been captured and inspected.
Customer Impacts
- Customers do not need to take any action.
- According to the City of Chestermere bylaw, the Curb Stop is owned by the City and needs to be readily accessible.
- Water service will continue while Curb Stops are used for inspection.
Why is this happening?
- The City and EPCOR are proactively looking for water leaks in Chestermere.
- Leaks result in water loss, which costs taxpayers by treating and distributing more water than is consumed and putting a burden on the integrity of the system.
- By detecting leaks and repairing the infrastructure, we can make the system more reliable and efficient and conserve more water, reducing our impact on the environment.
What is a Curb Stop?
A Curb Stop (also referred to as a CC, CC valve, or curb cock) is a valve in the ground that allows water to be turned off at a customer’s property. The Curb Stop is usually located at the property line where water comes from the water main in the street to the house or business.
How will you access the Curb Stop (CC)?
The CC is typically located on the property line (see attached diagram). EPCOR uses City maps, property reports and/or a PIN locator to find the CC when it is not visible.
When the CC is buried under grass, EPCOR will expose the CC to perform the leak detection testing.
- EPCOR will not bury the CC back in the ground as it should always be accessible.
- We will clean up the area and restore areas around the CC that were affected.
When a CC is buried under concrete or structures, the City will need to inform the property owner of the requirements under the bylaw and determine next steps.
What does the blue mark on my property mean?
- Prior to work starting, the Curb Stop and adjacent curb will be marked with blue paint for easier identification.
- This paint will fade over time.
What happens if a leak is detected?
- EPCOR will notify the property owner if a leak is detected.
- Further testing may be needed to confirm a leak and determine its location.
- This may involve shutting off the CC or conducting a pressure test.
- If a leak is confirmed on public property, EPCOR and the City will work to repair the leak at no cost to the owner.
How long will the repair work take?
- EPCOR and/or the contractor will notify the owner if a leak is detected and discuss the extent of work that is required to repair the leak.
Will my home or business be out of water during repairs?
- If we have to shut-off the water main or water to your property temporarily during repair work, you will receive notice at least 24 hours in advance.
Who pays for the repair work?
- If the leak is detected on public property, the City will pay for the cost of the repair.
- If the leak is detected on private property, EPCOR and the City will work with the owner on what needs to be done and the next steps to take.
When will restoration of my property take place?
If the Curb Stop was buried under grass, EPCOR will restore the area with seed and top soil while ensuring the CC remains accessible.
- Restoration will take place approximately a week after the inspection was conducted.
If the Curb Stop was buried under concrete or other structures, it is the owner’s responsibility to restore the area while ensuring the CC remains exposed.
Wastewater (Sewer)
Water becomes wastewater when it runs down a drain or toilet. Wastewater is collected from homes and commercial buildings throughout Chestermere via a series of underground pipes. This wastewater, or sewage, eventually flows to a lift station by gravity, where it is pumped from the lift station to a higher elevation, and eventually from the last lift station to the City of Calgary for treatment at their wastewater treatment plant.
For more information on the complex processes that returns Chestermere’s wastewater to the environment, click here.
Help Keep Our Sewage System Running
Putting fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) down the sink can clog your pipes, reduce plumbing flow and harm our wastewater infrastructure.
DO NOT dispose of fats, oils, and grease in your sinks, drains or toilets!
You can dispose of solidified fats, oil and grease in your green cart:
- Scrape your plates and dishes into your kitchen compost pail before washing
- Solidify fats and grease by cooling it at room temperature or in the fridge / freezer.
- Wipe your cooking equipment and solidify your oil by mixing it with an absorbent material such as a paper towel or napkin, sawdust or kitty litter; put the mixture in a certified compostable bag or paper bag.
- Dispose of fats, oil and grease in your green cart.
Liquid oils can be disposed of at the Eco Centre.
Bulk Water
If you large quantities of water, it can be purchased at bulk rates. Click here to view our bulk water rates.
Download a Bulk Water Application here.
To rent a Bulk Water Meter, please download, print and complete this application. Once complete, please email it to utilities@chestermere.ca or bring it to City Hall.