5 Critical Updates For City Of Kingston Utilities: What Residents MUST Know For 2025 And 2026
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The 2025-2026 Utility Rate Changes: Water, Wastewater, and Electricity
One of the most immediate impacts on Kingston residents is the new schedule of utility rates. The City of Kingston council approved two-year rate schedules for water and wastewater utilities in January 2025, establishing a clear financial path for the coming years.Water and Wastewater Rate Adjustments
The approved rate changes for water and wastewater services are set to begin on January 1, 2026. These adjustments are necessary to fund the ongoing maintenance, repair, and expansion of the city's vital water and sewer systems. Utilities Kingston is currently engaged in massive infrastructure upgrades, and these rate changes ensure the financial sustainability of these essential capital projects. * Impact: Customers should review their new rate schedules to understand the revised fixed and consumption charges that will appear on their combined utility bill starting in the new year.Kingston Hydro and Electricity Cost Relief
Electricity rates through Kingston Hydro are also facing adjustments, with changes effective January 1, 2026, following a decision and rate order from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). More importantly for customer budgets, the provincial relief program is seeing a significant boost. * Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) Increase: Starting November 1, 2025, the Ontario Electricity Rebate will increase substantially from 13.1% to a new rate of 23.5%. This rebate is applied directly to the electricity bill of eligible residential and small business customers, offering meaningful cost relief. * Mechanistic Adjustments: Kingston Hydro filed an application (EB-2024-0037) with the OEB to implement mechanistic adjustments to its distribution rates, which will be factored into the 2026 rate structure.Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Long-Term Planning (2025-2026)
Utilities Kingston is currently executing a multi-year plan focused on modernizing and expanding the city’s core infrastructure. These capital projects are not just repairs; they are foundational efforts to support Kingston’s projected growth, which includes a city goal of building 8,000 new homes by 2031.Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update
A critical, multi-year initiative is the update of the Water and Wastewater Master Plans. This project began in April 2025 and is anticipated to conclude in late 2026. This massive planning effort is being conducted in parallel with the City’s Official Plan, ensuring that utility infrastructure capacity aligns perfectly with future development assumptions. * Goal: The new Master Plan will guide future investment and development for the city’s water treatment, distribution, and wastewater collection systems for decades to come.Key Capital Projects Underway
Several large-scale construction projects are currently active across the city to enhance service reliability and expand capacity: * Wastewater Flow Reversal: Utilities Kingston is engaged in a massive, multi-year project to change the flow of wastewater, which includes pushing new lines west along King Street. This complex effort is part of a larger plan to manage and treat wastewater more effectively. * General Infrastructure Boost: The utility is resuming major infrastructure upgrades designed to specifically boost both water and wastewater systems across the City of Kingston. * Road and Utility Coordination: The City has allocated $40 million for 2025 road repairs and upgrades, many of which are coordinated with Utilities Kingston to replace or upgrade underground infrastructure simultaneously, maximizing efficiency and minimizing disruption.Billing, Customer Service, and the Multi-Utility Advantage
Utilities Kingston is unique in its model, celebrated for 25 years of providing a consolidated, multi-utility service. This model allows customers to receive a single, combined bill for multiple essential services, including water, wastewater, and electricity (Kingston Hydro).New Combined Bill Design
In a move to improve clarity and customer experience, Utilities Kingston has rolled out a new bill design. The new format aims to make it easier for customers to understand their consumption, the various charges, and the payment due dates. * Go Paperless: The utility strongly encourages customers to switch to paperless billing for a more efficient and environmentally friendly service. * Understanding Your Services: The combined bill simplifies the management of essential services, which also includes gas distribution and street lighting maintenance, all under the Utilities Kingston umbrella.Customer Service and Contact Information
For any questions regarding the new rates, the updated bill design, or current infrastructure projects, the customer service team remains the primary point of contact. * Phone Contact: 613-546-1181 * Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The commitment to meeting customer expectations and managing assets for the benefit of the local community remains the guiding principle of the Utilities Kingston Strategic Plan, which runs through the end of 2025. Keeping track of these changes is key to navigating your utility services efficiently in the coming years.
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