Surrey Proposes Utility Rate Increases for 2026 Budget

Residents of Surrey, British Columbia, may soon face higher utility bills as city staff recommend significant increases for 2026. Proposed changes include a 5.3 percent rise in water utility rates, a 1.37 percent hike in sewer utility rates, a 1.5 percent increase in drainage taxes, a 1.2 percent bump in solid waste rates, and a notable 6.4 percent increase in district energy utility rates. Additionally, parking fees are under review, with adjustments aimed at aligning rates with market demand.

A report submitted to the Surrey City Council outlines these recommendations, which are set to be discussed during a public hearing on January 26, 2026, at the council chambers located at 13450-104 Avenue. This session will begin at 14:30 and will be live-streamed on the city’s website. If approved by the finance committee, the recommendations will be presented to the council for a vote later that evening.

The anticipated increases follow a trend observed in previous years, with Surrey residents experiencing similar adjustments in 2025, 2024, and 2023. Should the proposed rates be enacted, the financial implications for residents could be significant. For instance, average water customers in the metered single-family category would see an increase of approximately $25.52 annually. Metered commercial customers could face an increase of $141.80, while non-metered residential users may see an increase of $56.72.

According to the report, the need for a water rate increase stems from a 6.4 percent rise in rates imposed by Metro Vancouver. Looking ahead, bulk water rates from Metro Vancouver are expected to continue rising by an average of 2.6 percent annually for the next four years.

In terms of sewer utility rates, the proposed increases would result in an additional $10.14 annually for metered single-family households, $56.32 for metered commercial users, and $22.53 for non-metered residential customers. The report highlights that Metro Vancouver anticipates an average increase of 9.1 percent in sewer rates over the remaining years of the five-year plan.

For drainage utility rates, residential and agricultural customers could expect to pay $250.71, up from $247, while commercial and industrial customers might see rates rise to $613.06, compared to $604.

The City of Surrey currently serves roughly 108,200 single-family households and 42,000 secondary suites with weekly curbside organic waste collection, alongside bi-weekly garbage and recycling services. Additionally, approximately 35,200 customers in apartment buildings receive centralized recycling pickup, with around half benefiting from weekly organic waste collection.

As part of the proposed solid waste rate adjustments, the average increase is also driven by rising fees from Metro Vancouver. Starting in 2026, tipping fees are set to increase by $7 per tonne, prompting Surrey to suggest a 1.2 percent increase in solid waste rates. The report notes that these tipping fees will continue to rise, with projections of an $8 increase per tonne annually from 2027 to 2029, and an $9 increase in 2030.

Proposed changes for solid waste rates include an increase to $344.08 from $340 for single-family and multiple-family garbage, recycling, and organics collection. Rates for secondary suites would rise to $172.04 from $170, while apartment and townhouse recycling and organics services would see increases to $46.55 from $46 and $35.42 from $35 for recycling service.

Additionally, Surrey’s district energy system, which provides heating to residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in downtown Surrey, is also facing increases. A proposed 6.4 percent levy increase is attributed to a 10 percent rise in natural gas costs charged by Fortis BC.

As residents prepare for potential financial adjustments, the upcoming public hearing will serve as a crucial opportunity for community input on the proposed utility rate increases.