The Village of Ashcroft has received a $2.7 million grant to cover up to 100 per cent of eligible costs for the purchase and installation of water meters. The province made the announcement in a news release on Tuesday (May 6).
Ashcroft is one of 19 small, rural communities around the province that will be taking part in the $50 million pilot project, which the province estimates could help save up to 1.5 billion litres of water each year: equivalent to a day’s-worth of drinking water for 750 million people.
“This announcement is very positive news for the Village of Ashcroft,” said mayor Barbara Roden. “Installation of water meters was included in the village’s Water Master Plan back in 2014, and we have been waiting for an opportunity to proceed with metering at no direct cost to residents."
Ashcroft, the mayor noted, is located in Canada’s only true desert, so is particularly susceptible to the drought conditions that have been in evidence over the past two to three years.
"Water meters will not only ensure fairness in billing — people pay for what they use — but will also help residents monitor their water usage to ensure that we are conserving an essential resource," she added.
The province said the pilot program will help small communities track and manage water use and mitigate the impact of drought, while ensuring people are only paying for the water they use. Once installed, the meters can help reduce water use by up to 30 per cent.
Water metering also helps identify leaks, means fewer costly upgrades to water systems, and leaves more water available during emergencies, such as wildfires. It also reduces pressure on wastewater systems and saves energy that is used for treating and moving water.
Ashcroft applied to be part of the pilot project in February 2025, and stated in a news release on May 6 that the grant represents a unique opportunity for the village to install water meters with no direct expense to residents.
“It positions our village for essential future investments, including upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure,” said the release. “By moving forward now, with full funding in place, we’re making a smart, cost-effective decision that benefits the entire community.”
The release also acknowledged there will be a lot of community interest in how the project will roll out, as well as plenty of good questions.
“That’s why we’re committed to clear, timely, and transparent communication every step of the way. We’ll be launching a dedicated webpage soon, with project updates, FAQs, helpful information, and best ways for residents to connect with us directly.” There will also be community events such as town halls, drop-in events, and online forums in the coming months, where residents can learn more about the project and ask questions.
A contingency amount has been included in the estimated project costs, and the village expects that the grant will fully cover the project costs. Should the $2.7 million allocation be exceeded, the village will use reserve funds, which will protect residents from unexpected costs.
An FAQ sheet released by the village on May 6 notes while the water metering project itself will not cause water rates to increase, modest rate adjustments are expected in the future due to rising operational costs, which were anticipated even without the water meter project.
It also notes while people will eventually be charged based on how much water they use, “dummy bills” will be issued for the first year after installation, to show people how much water they are using and what the cost would be under metering. Billing based on metering will not begin until the second year after meters are installed.
At present, every single-family home in Ashcroft pays $550 per year for water, regardless of how many people are in the home or how much water they use.
“The village has several major water-related projects on the horizon, including twinning of the North Ashcroft reservoir and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant," Roden said. "Moving ahead with water metering will show that we are serious about water conservation, and will make it easier to obtain vital grant funding for these other projects.”
