Halifax Water’s General Rate Application Decision / Response to the NSRAB decision on Halifax Water rate increase

****  Halifax Water Release

Halifax Water’s General Rate Application Decision

Today, the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB) released its decision regarding Halifax Water’s General Rate Application, which was filed earlier this year. The NSRAB approved Halifax Water’s application but found that adjustments must be made to the revenue requirements, which will result in a reduction to the overall rate increases initially proposed. The updated adjustments are to be filed with the NSRAB by December 23, 2025. 

Halifax Water’s request was driven by increased inflation, rising interest rates, depleted reserve funds, aging infrastructure and depreciation. This will be the first increase in Halifax Water rates since April 2023.  

“We are reviewing the impact of today’s decision and remain committed to providing reliable service to our customers and the environment.” said Kenda MacKenzie, General Manager of Halifax Water. “Our team works hard to provide reliable water, wastewater and stormwater service while controlling costs and maintaining good service for our customers.”   

Halifax Water is a municipal utility that operates on a break-even basis, and no profit component is built into the rates. A compliance filing is expected to be filed by December 23, 2025 outlining the new rates.  

For more information on Halifax Water, please check www.halifaxwater.ca, visit us on YouTube, or Twitter @HalifaxWater, Facebook, or call our Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.   

- **** HRM Media Release

Response to the NSRAB decision on Halifax Water rate increase

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 (Halifax. N.S.) - Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Andy Fillmore is providing the below statement in response to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board decision on matter M12257 related to the proposed Halifax Water rate increase:

“For many months, I have been expressing my concern that Halifax Water’s rate increase proposal amounts to rate shock which would put financial burden on residents during an affordability crisis. Today, the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board agreed.

Further, the Board found that Halifax Water has paid insufficient attention to its fiscal health, has overestimated certain costs, and faces structural challenges that will directly affect ratepayers.

While I agree with the majority of the Board’s findings, I am very concerned that the Board directed Halifax Water to explore whether HRM should absorb financial shortfalls that contribute to their accumulated deficit. That is not something HRM can responsibly consider without a full, independent audit.

I have therefore written to the Halifax Regional Municipality Auditor General, and the Auditor General of Nova Scotia, to ask that they each consider a review of Halifax Water’s governance, financial management, and capital planning practices.

Halifax Water provides an essential public service. We depend on them to support our region’s growing housing needs, economic development goals, and public health demands.

We need to make informed decisions based on transparency and accountability to keep life affordable for residents. That is what these reviews will deliver.”

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Quick Facts:

• Mayor Fillmore received over 2,000 letters from residents and businesses advocating against the proposed Halifax Water rate increase.
• On September 8, 2025, Mayor Fillmore wrote to the Consumer Advocate to express the concerns raised by those residents.
• On November 28, 2025, Mayor Fillmore wrote to the General Manager and CEO of Halifax Water, encouraging the utility to meet with the Canada Infrastructure Bank to discuss opportunities for federal partnership on infrastructure.
• On December 16, 2025, Mayor Fillmore wrote to the Halifax Regional Municipality Auditor General and the Auditor General of Nova Scotia asking they consider a review of Halifax Water’s governance, financial management, and capital planning practices.