Media Release
Halifax Water Submits Compliance Filing with Revised Rates to NSRAB
Pending approval, the estimated average residential bill will increase by 12.1% in January of 2026 and by 5.5% in April of 2026
Halifax, NS – December 23, 2025 - Today, Halifax Water submitted its General Rate Application (GRA) compliance filing. The Nova Scotia Regulatory Appeals Board (NSRAB) (the Board) requested this as part of its decision on Tuesday, December 16. With this filing, proposed rates have been adjusted, and pending final approval, the estimated average residential bill for all three services is expected to increase by 12.1% in January 2026 and 5.5% in April 2026.
As part of the General Rate Application filed in May 2025, Halifax Water proposed three different rate scenarios to the Board. In its decision last week, the Board aligned closely with scenario two, which excluded deficit elimination from rates. Scenario two initially estimated an increase of 16.2% and 7.2% in the average residential bill for both years.
“Our priority is to ensure that Halifax Water continues to provide safe, reliable services while operating as a not-for-profit utility and minimizing the impact on our customers. By following the Board’s direction and using scenario two from our original application, we have removed the deficit elimination and other costs from rates. By taking these meaningful steps, we are easing the financial burden on households,” said Kenda MacKenzie, General Manager and CEO of Halifax Water.
Based on the Board's direction, Halifax Water has removed the $27.2 million required to eliminate the deficit from rates. It has also eliminated more than $19 million in additional costs by adjusting its debt and depreciation levels, a portion of the dividend payment to HRM, and reducing costs for new salaries and estimates for chemicals.
Halifax Water respects the Board's decision as it continues to balance the challenges of operating a not-for-profit utility with the financial impact on our customers. The GRA was a rigorous regulatory process that incorporated feedback and input from multiple participants—Halifax Water thanks everyone for their time and perspectives.
As a next step, Halifax Water will follow the NSRAB’s direction to hold discussions with our owner (HRM) and explore ways to eliminate the $27.2 million deficit over a more extended period, thereby easing the cost to customers.
Based on the Board’s direction, Halifax Water expects to include a proposal addressing its operating deficit as part of its next rate application, which will be filed by September 2026. The utility looks forward to continued engagement from its customers and interested parties.
Pending NSRAB approval, the revised rates proposed by Halifax Water are expected to go into effect in early January, and customers can expect to see these new rates reflected in their bills in early 2026.
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