Your water bill is about to go up in the new year; but by how much, is still being worked out.

In a media release, the Regulatory and Appeals Board says it has approved a rate hike for Halifax Water but not for the 35.6 per cent increase over three months that was requested in the spring.

Instead, the NSARB has asked the utility to go back to the drawing board and do a re-calculation.

It was in May when Halifax Water proposed raising residential and wastewater rates by 15.8 per cent, January 1, 2026, then again 17.1 per cent, April 1, 2026, to cover rising costs from things like inflation.

It was met with criticism from not only Mayor Andy Fillmore but all political parties.

The NSARB says the original request is not only overestimated but would result in “rate shock” for customers.

The board is also denying Halifax Water’s request for other costs to be passed onto customers which would drop the April 1 spike of 17.1 per cent to 7 per cent.

The utility now has one week to adjust its rates.

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