Blackfalds Public Works Department FAQ's

Water Questions

How much does water cost?

The Town of Blackfalds receives its water from the City of Red Deer via regional pipeline, since May of 2006.  The Town is part of the Red Deer River Water Services Commission and is charged on a per cubic meter of water used as measured at each water reservoir site.  Residences are charged $1.80 per cubic meter used plus a base rate of $14.40 for water.

How often is my water meter read? 

Water meters are read every month.

What do I do if my water meter is leaking?

Contact the Town of Blackfalds office at 403-885-4677 to set up an appointment to have the Public Works staff come and repair your meter.

Why is my water bill so high?

Most likely you have a leak somewhere in your home. Dripping faucets and running toilets are the most common areas for leaks to occur.

Is my water meter is reading too high?

As our water meter use the energy of the flowing water to turn the gears in the meter it defies the laws of physics that a water meter could read higher than it should all of a sudden. The water meter may come from the factory not calibrated properly but for the meter to suddenly measure more water than was really used is impossible.

Many times, high water use can be deliberate. Perhaps you purchased a new hot tub or Jacuzzi recently which requires a large volume of water to operate. In the summer, maintaining your garden or lawn can account for higher than average water use. However, if your high water use was not deliberate, we suggest you investigate to find out the cause.

Sometimes high water use can be attributed to a specific event or action. Perhaps someone at this location accidentally left a water tap running. Maybe your toilet ran constantly and no one noticed. Water softeners may use more water to recharge if there is not enough salt in the reservoir.

If the high water use can’t be attributed to a specific event or action, you should check to see if there is a silent water leak in your home. To do this, turn off all water around the house (including outside taps if it’s summer) and check your water meter. The Town’s meters are very accurate and feature a leak indicator, the small red dial or black triangle on the face of your meter (see second page for picture). 

If the leak indicator is moving, there is a water leak in your home which you should locate and repair. Nearly 90% of water leaks are found in toilets or with leaking bathroom faucets. Dripping taps, automatic ice makers, and faulty water softeners or humidifiers can also be a source of water leaks. If you wish, you can hire a plumber to locate and repair water leaks in your home (look under plumbing in the Yellow Pages™).

Checklist to determine the source of your high water use
 

• Has your garden or lawn been watered more than usual?  Were your plants/gardens accidentally watered throughout the night?
• Were younger family members playing with the water hose outside or the toilet inside without your knowledge?
• Did someone leave a tap open accidentally, either indoors or outdoors?
• Check for leaks by recording your meter reading at night and again in the morning before any water is used in the household.  This will help identify if you have a leak.
• Are your water taps stiff to use?  Is it difficult to close them?  (Taps that do not close properly can drip, wasting several cubic meters of water each month.)   
• Is your toilet operating properly?  Does your toilet get stuck in the ‘flush’ mode on occasion? 
• Do you have a silent leak in your toilet? (To check, put a few drops of food colouring in the water tank.  If after a few hours, the water in the toilet bowl turns the same colour, your toilet is leaking and requires repairs)
• Does your water softener have too much/too little salt in it?  Is your water softener plugged in?  (Some water softeners will run constantly if the incorrect amount of salt is used or if the softener is unplugged as it is recharging)
• Is your water softener leaking?  (You may see fine salt crystals along joint lines or on the floor around the water softener)
• Is your humidifier in proper working order?  (There may be dried water stains/rust spots around the humidifier which may indicate it is leaking)
• Was a new appliance installed recently that may use water?  (dishwasher, ice-maker fridge, washer, water softener, hot tub, new toilet, new taps, hot water heater, etc.)
  
  If you have installed a new appliance:
• Does this appliance use more water than the previous appliance?   
• Was the appliance installed correctly?
• Can you hear water running through this appliance? (Sound may indicate a leak)
• Has there been a change in water usage with some members of the household? (e.g., is someone taking daily baths instead of daily showers?)

How do I get a water meter installed in a new home or building?

Go to the Town of Blackfalds office and fill out a “Request for water meter install” form.

Why is my water pressure low?

The most common cause of low water pressure is minerals trapped on the aeration screen of a faucet. To check the aeration screen:

• Remove the tip of the faucet by unscrewing it from the faucet.
• Remove any debris from the screen.
• Replace the tip of the faucet.
• Turn on the tap.

 Using several sources of water at the same time such as shower, dishwasher, and faucet can also cause low water pressure. Ensure that all of these devices are turned off before checking the water pressure. 

If your water pressure has not returned to normal contact the Town of Blackfalds office at 403-885-4677 to set up an appointment to have the Public Works staff come and check the water pressure in your home. 

Sewer Questions

What do I do if my sewer is backed up?

Homeowners are responsible for all sewer systems contained within their homes as well as the sewer line leading from the home to the sewer main. In the event that there is a blockage within the home or in the line leading to the sewer main the homeowner shall contact a plumber to clear the blockage.

How do I know where my sewer is blocked?

Generally if the sewer only backs up when water is being used in the home then the blockage is within the home or in the line leading to the sewer main. In this case the homeowner shall contact a plumber to clear the blockage.

If the sewer is backing up and the homeowner is not using water then there is possibility that the sewer main is blocked. In this case town crews will flush the sewer main and remove the blockage.

Garbage Questions (follow the links below for further information)

Garbage Collection

Recycling

When is the Blackfalds Waste Tranfer Site (dump) open?

The Blackfalds waste transfer site hours are:

Monday to Wednesday          CLOSED

Thursday & Friday                  10:00am to 6:00pm

Saturday                                  2:00pm to 6pm

Sunday                                    CLOSED

Stat Holidays                          CLOSED

The Blackfalds waste transfer site is operated by the County of Lacombe