The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo provides water, sewer and garbage collection services to residents and businesses. Utilities are billed every two months.
Learn how to set up a utility account.
Billing Cycle by Neighbourhood and Community
| January, March, May, July, September, November |
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| February, April, June, August, October, December |
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Payment Options
We offer several convenient ways to pay your utility bill:
| Pay online by credit card |
| Use our secure portal at pay.rmwb.ca. |
| Pre-authorized payments |
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Sign up for automatic payments from your credit card or chequing account to save time and avoid late fees. Payments are automatically charged to your credit card or debited from your chequing account on the bill due date. Register online at pay.rmwb.ca. If you need assistance, email waterbilling@rmwb.ca or call Pulse at 780-743-7000. |
| Online banking |
| Add "Wood Buffalo Water" or "Wood Buffalo Utilities" as the payee through your financial institution. |
| Pay in-person |
| Visit us at 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray or at any rural office. |
| Mail a cheque |
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Note: Canada Post strike actions may disrupt and delay payment by mail in the spring and summer of 2025. Payment by mail is not advised for spring and summer 2025.
Mailed cheques can be addressed to: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray, AB, T9H 2K4 |
Canceling Pre-Authorized Payments
You can cancel your pre-authorized payment plan by visiting pay.rmwb.ca and clicking on “Cancel Pre-Authorized Utility Bill Payments.”
For further assistance, email waterbilling@rmwb.ca or call Pulse at 780-743-7000.
Understanding Your Utility Bill
Your utility bill consists of both fixed fees and usage fees. Fixed fees are charged for all properties, regardless of occupancy.
| Utility bill fees |
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| Metering, consumption and conservation tips |
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Each property has its own water meter, and charges for water and sewer are based on actual consumption. The more water you use, the higher your bill. For tips on reducing water usage, visit our Water Conservation Tips page. If your property is not connected to a water meter, then you pay an unmetered flat rate. |
Unmetered or Flat Rate Water Services
In some cases, water services may be unmetered, and consumers are charged a flat rate. This typically applies when a property isn’t connected to the water system via a meter or during special circumstances, such as construction.
| When do flat rates apply? |
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| How are flat rates determined? |
| Flat rates are set by the Municipality and reviewed regularly. These rates reflect typical water usage for properties or special circumstances where a meter is not in place. The rates are outlined in the Utility Rates Bylaw. |
| When does unmetered billing transition to metered billing? |
| Once a water meter is installed, billing will switch to metered rates, and the flat rate will no longer apply. This is common when moving from construction to occupancy or when a meter is finally installed. |
Late Payments and Penalties
- A 1.5% penalty applies to overdue balances.
- For property owners, unpaid balances after 90 days are transferred to the property tax roll and may incur additional penalties under the Tax Rate Bylaw.
- For renters, unpaid balances may result in service termination. Any outstanding balance will be forwarded to a collections agency.
For more information, email collections@rmwb.ca or call Pulse at 780-743-7000.
Key Reminders
- Late Payment Fees: A 1.5% penalty applies to overdue bills.
- Flat Rate Charges: Flat rates apply when properties aren’t metered and are governed by the Utility Rates Bylaw.
Contact Utilities Billing
Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 780-743-7000
Fax: 780-743-7076
Emergency Phone: 780-799-5823
Mailing address:
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4
E-mail: waterbilling@rmwb.ca
Related documents
- Municipal Public Utilities Bylaw
Bylaw 14/035; Prohibits the provision of a same of similar type of utility in the region. - Public Utilities Bylaw Guidance
Why the Municipal Public Utilities Bylaw was created and what it means for you. - User Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw
Bylaw 20/030; Sets the rates for all utility services in the region - Water Utilities Management Bylaw
Consolidated bylaw 20/029 for the supply and management of municipal water utility services.