Since incorporation, the Village of Canal Flats has offered a 10% discount for the annual residential water and sewer fees when paid before the end of February. This long-standing practice helped reduce the costs for property owners and provided the Village with early-year cash flow.

Why the discount is ending

It is important that water and sewer utilities are self-sustaining, meaning that user fees adequately match their operating and future upgrade costs. Significant increases in these costs, including meeting provincial regulations, are jeopardizing their sustainability. Ending the discount is a means to protect long-term service reliability and limit larger tax increases in future years. Effective January 1, 2026, the Village will eliminate the 10% pre-payment discount on residential water and sewer fees, aligning with other communities across the Columbia Valley.

How Canal Flats compares regionally

*unmetered rate

As shown, Canal Flats’ combined rates remain among the lowest in the region, so continuing to absorb the discount would further reduce essential revenue.

Financial impact of the discount in 2025

Sewer Discount – $5,335.00
Water Discount – $7,581.00
Total: $12,916.00

Eliminating the discount restores needed revenue to maintain and upgrade our water and sewer systems.

What property owners can still do

Property owners may continue to pre-pay water, sewer or property taxes at any time using the Village’s usual payment methods.

The Village does not offer a formal payment-plan option for property taxes, but pre-payments are welcome year-round.

Questions or to discuss pre-payment options

Contact the Village office:
Phone: 250-349-5462
Email: village@canalflats.ca

We understand this change may be disappointing. The decision was made after careful review to protect the long-term financial sustainability of local services and to avoid larger tax increases in the future.