The new wastewater system is now in full operation. Properties in the service area can connect at any time, once a meter has been installed and work on the property has been completed and inspected. Find more information here on how to prepare.
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Information for Residents Who Are Hooked Up to the Sewer System and Have Sold Their Property
APRIL 3, 2023
If you are connected to the sewer system and have sold your property, you will need to contact the RM Office prior to moving with the following information so that a final bill can be sent to you and to set up the property with the new owner information. We require: Possession Date, Final Meter Read, Forwarding Address/Contact Information.
Amendments to the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation
DECEMBER 1, 2021 - The Onsite Wastewater Management Systems (OWMS) Regulation, under The Environment Act was amended. Effective October 29, 2021, the time required for properties with onsite wastewater systems to connect with new municipal wastewater infrastructure was extended from five to ten years.
This means that properties that are required but have not yet connected to existing municipal sewer systems will have up to December 31, 2031 to connect. All other properties will have 10 years starting from when the municipal lines are in place. Furthermore, limited exemptions to the immediate connection requirements for certain administrative land transactions have been included.
The amendments align with government policies to protect the environment while supporting sustainable economic development, and protecting water quality for Manitoba lakes and rivers, including Lake Winnipeg, by reducing nutrient loading.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been developed to provide clarity regarding the changes to the OWMS Regulation, however it is not exhaustive. If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQ, please contact your local Environment Officer for further guidance. A list of regional contacts can be found here.
In addition to these questions and answers, please visit the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems program website for the most recent requirements, standards and other resources.
New wastewater system now in full operation
OCTOBER 19, 2021 - The RM of St Andrews has opened up the connection between our forcemain and the trunk sewer in West St. Paul. That means wastewater has begun flowing from South St. Andrews to Winnipeg's north end treatment plant. Everything is running smoothly and households are invited to hook up at any time.
How to prepare to connect
Information about the work required on your property can be found here.
Before your household can connect to the system, you'll need to have a meter installed. You'll also need to have a pre-hook up inspection to make sure that the equipment on your property has been properly prepared.
You can make these arrangements by submitting a Service Request or by contacting the RM Office at (204) 738-2076.
Final service agreement signed
The start-up of the system was prompted by the signing of our service sharing agreement with West St. Paul on August 26. This was the final necessary step before opening up the connection between our forcemain and the West St. Paul trunk sewer, which in turn connects to Winnipeg's North End Water Pollution Control Centre.
The agreement provides mutual benefits for both municipalities as we expand wastewater services to the region. In future, developments at the northern end of West St. Paul will be able to connect to the forcemain connecting to the West St. Paul line.
Questions? Use the contact form or call (204) 738-2264 ext. 138.
Special Service Levy Cancelled for New Wastewater System
JUNE 23, 2021 - Now that the final numbers are in, the RM has learned that the financial position of the new South St. Andrews Wastewater System will be much more favourable than expected in the first years of operation. As a result, Council has set aside its earlier plan for a $100 Special Service Levy on unconnected properties in the service area.
Council's decision is based on an updated calculation of costs and revenues. Real-life data can now replace many assumptions used in earlier estimates, which substantially changes the annual financial picture.
The difference is mostly due to one important factor - how individual households have chosen to pay the $7,264 Local Improvement District fee. As it turned out, the number of households choosing to pay in one lump sum was much lower than expected. A very high proportion will instead pay the fee over 20 years along with their property taxes.
This has a big impact on the new utility's annual operating revenues. The bottom line is that the utility will be able to keep rates reasonable and come close to breaking even every year, without the aid of a Special Service Levy. (For more explanation, please see the FAQs in the Wastewater Services section).
Based on the new financial projections, Council has unanimously agreed to withdraw the RM's application to The Municipal Board for a by-law to create the levy. The Municipal Board has been informed, and has canceled the public hearing scheduled for June 28-30.
This change will have no impact on the utility rates recently approved by The Public Utilities Board.
Approved interim wastewater rates
MAY 19, 2021 - The Rural Municipality of St. Andrews has applied to the Public Utilities Board for revised initial interim wastewater rates for the South St. Andrews Wastewater Utility as set out in By-Law No. 4350, read the first time on December 8, 2020.
The approved rates are as follows:
| 2022 | |
| Quarterly Service Charge | $80.82 |
| Wastewater (per cubic meter) | $3.57 |
| Minimum Quarterly Charge * | $130.80 |
| Utilities buy-in Charge | $3,000.00 |
| *Based on 14 cubic meters |
For more information, the full Public Utilities Board Order No. 55/21 may be found online on the Public Utilities Board website or you may contact the Municipal Office at (204) 738-2264.
A guide to fees for the new wastewater system
MARCH 11, 2021 (UPDATED APRIL 12, 2022) - There are three fees related to this new service. Here's a quick guide to help you understand each one:
- The local improvement fee covers the cost of building the public infrastructure. The fee is $7,264.37 per parcel. Unless you've already prepaid this fee, an additional charge of $505.37 will be added to your tax bill every year. The first annual payment will be due with property taxes in the fall of 2021.
- The City of Winnipeg charges a one-time buy-in charge to all municipalities using the City of Winnipeg's wastewater infrastructure. This fee buys the right to use some of the City's sewage treatment capacity.
For example, the City of Winnipeg buy-in charge was $2,680 for 5/8 inch water meters in 2021. The fee increased to $3,000 in 2022 and will increase to $3,100 in 2023 for 5/8 inch water meters. The complete 2022 buy-in charges are provided below (as per Policy No. GGS-13):2022 Sewer Services Buy-In Charge- 5/8" meter / 0.0-0.9 litres/sec $3,000.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 3/4" meter / 0.91-1.3 litres/sec $4,500.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 1" meter / 1.31-2.4 litres/sec $7,500.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 1 1/2" meter / 2.41-3.8 litres/sec $15,200.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 2" meter / 3.81-7.6 litres/sec $24,300.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 3" meter / >7.6 litres/sec $45.600.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing Agreement- 4" meter / >7.6 litres/sec $70,350.00 per property Jan 1/22 Service Sharing AgreementThe City of Winnipeg Rates are approved to the end of 2023 and future increases are not known at this time.
You will pay this fee to the RM of St. Andrews, which will then forward the funds to the City. This fee must be paid before you connect.
- Quarterly utility bills will be issued after you begin using the system. For a two-to-three person household, the quarterly utility bill will be about $200 to $250 per quarter, depending on the volume of wastewater generated. You can see the approved rates here.
What you’ll pay and when
If you connect to the system in 2022, you will pay three types of fees this year:
| LOCAL IMPROVEMENT FEE | $505.37 added to your annual property tax bill (assuming you didn't prepay the full fee in April 2021) |
| CITY OF WINNIPEG CONNECTION FEE | $3,000 for 5/8" water meters (or more if connecting after 2021) |
| QUARTERLY UTILITY BILLS | Will vary by household |
If you don’t connect in 2022, you will pay one fee this year:
| LOCAL IMPROVEMENT FEE | $505.37 added to your annual property tax bill (assuming you didn't prepay the full fee in April 2021) |
For more information see the FAQs about fees.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction is now complete. All residents in these service areas will have the opportunity to connect once the system is fully operational.
Contact Us
If you have concerns or need information about any aspect of the project, please get in touch. We'll get back to you quickly. Submit your inquiry through our Service Request Form.
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