Building our own water supply line should cost about $25 million to build, and give Fort Saskatchewan better control over water costs, City Council was told Tuesday.

Fort Saskatchewan currently gets its water from Edmonton via the Capital Region Northeast Water Services Commission. But the Commission is unfair to Fort Saskatchewan, the report to City Council says. Fort Saskatchewan uses 18 per cent of the network, but pays 64 per cent of the total user fees.

"The rate structure, as it currently exists, results in Fort Saskatchewan paying more than all other members combined for infrastructure that the City does not use," the report says. "As Fort Saskatchewan's population increases, the City will contribute to a disproportionate share of the member revenue, increasing the imbalance."

The voting structure of the commission is also unfair, the report adds. Fort Saskatchewan gets one vote, as does every other community in the commission. This leaves Fort Saskatchewan "vulnerable to the shared interests of the smaller municipalities."

Another issue for Fort Saskatchewan is the need for a new water line from Edmonton. "Regardless of the water provider, significant infrastructure investment is needed to meet Fort Saskatchewan's future water demands," the report says.

"Administration estimates that the new main will be needed between 2032 and 2037. Constructing a water line of this size takes multiple years to design and build."

In 2021, Fort Saskatchewan gave official notice that it would leave the commission. The notice is required 10 years before withdrawing from the commission.

Since that time the commission has made some changes, the report says. The commission has hired a new manager and gave Fort Saskatchewan a discounted rate in 2025. It is also proposing to give Fort Saskatchewan three votes on the commission board, while allowing only one vote for each of the other five member communities.

"Providing the City with three votes is indicative of progress and suggests that the Commission acknowledges and respects Fort Saskatchewan's concerns. However the proposed revised voting structure does not fully address the City's concerns and would not protect the City from changes in will amongst the Board." the report warns.