Of the 7 options below, council decides 4, 2 are shared with the Province and the Province decides 1. See them at a glance
This page is a menu of options, not a plan. It walks through the choices the new council faces on water, sewers and stormwater. They are how fast rates rise, whether sewage capacity is built ahead of growth or growth waits for it, lead pipes, overflows to the Thames, how the stormwater charge is set, help for low-income households, and the Province's new water corporation law. For each one it gives the strongest evidence for and against, what it cost where it was tried, and the London-scale math, shown in full or plainly marked as not derivable. It recommends nothing.
One structural fact shapes everything here. Water and sewer run on their own money. The water bill, not the property tax, pays for the pipes, the pumping stations and London's five sewage treatment plants. London doesn't treat its own drinking water. It buys it wholesale from two regional systems, now branded Huron Erie Water, and holds a built-in majority on the Lake Huron board. So the levers in this file are the rate, the capital plan and the City's seats on those boards.
Research was completed November 3, 2026. Every claim links to a source, and figures we worked out ourselves are marked as derived. The council that takes office November 15, 2026 decides these questions, starting with the 2027 budget update.
READ EVERY NUMBER HERE WITH THIS
The City's average home bill for water, sewer and stormwater, $1,333 in 2026 and $1,399 in 2027 at 200 m³ a year, is the number every option here is measured against.
The options at a glance
Each option gets the same three things: its name, who decides it, and one London number. They're listed in the order the research found them, not ranked.
Water and sewer are paid for by their own rates, not the property tax. The City's 2026 budget shows three budgets side by side, property tax ($1.47 billion operating), water ($111.05 million) and wastewater and treatment ($142.6 million). Council sets the rates each fall by amending By-law W-8 (water) and By-law WM-28 (wastewater and stormwater). London Hydro reads the meters and sends the bills. 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗2027 Water and Wastewater Rates report, SPPC Oct 6, 2026 (PDF) ↗
London holds 16 of the 27 weighted votes on the Lake Huron board, and the rules say its share must be at least a simple majority and should not exceed 60%. A proposal on the October 1, 2026 agenda would add a member from the Oneida Nation of the Thames and give London 20 of 34 votes. Staff note that nearly every board decision since 2000 has been made by consensus. Board members serve at the pleasure of the council that appoints them, so the new council names London's members for this term. Lake Huron water board agenda, Oct 1, 2026 (PDF) ↗
AVERAGE HOME WATER, SEWER AND STORMWATER BILL: TO SCALE
2023$1,216
2024$1,257
2025$1,303
2026$1,333
2027$1,399
200 m³ a year. The 2023 to 2025 totals are derived, our sums of the City's water, sanitary and stormwater rows. 2026 and 2027 are the City's own totals from the 2027 rates report. 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
BOTH TRUE AT ONCE
$1,057
for water and sewer on a typical London home in 2025, against a $1,491 average across the municipalities in the BMA comparison the City cites
9.7%
of wastewater rate revenue going to debt payments by 2033, up from 3.4% in 2024
Staff give two reasons 2026 was low and 2027 is higher. The 2026 budget update stopped paying, out of the water bill, for development-charge exemptions the Province sets in law. And a release of COVID-19 contingency money gave $2.5 million (water) and $1.9 million (wastewater) of relief in each of 2025 and 2026. Staff say that money has been fully used and is not available in 2027. 2027 Water and Wastewater Rates report, SPPC Oct 6, 2026 (PDF) ↗2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
The 2027 wastewater increase is 0.3 points below the 5.4% in the multi-year plan because of a budget right-sizing business case staff expect to bring to the 2027 budget update. If the budget changes materially, staff say rates would need to be re-adjusted after budget adoption. 2027 Water and Wastewater Rates report, SPPC Oct 6, 2026 (PDF) ↗
The bill has three parts. A fixed monthly charge by meter size ($18.54 water and $17.02 wastewater for a standard home meter in 2026). A usage charge in tiers, where the first 7 m³ a month is free. And a flat stormwater charge of $20.74 a month for most lots of 0.4 hectares or less, plus $1.90 for fire protection and a $0.25 customer-assistance charge. City of London, Your water bill ↗
On the 2025 BMA comparison the City cites, London's water and sewer cost for a typical home was $1,057, against a $1,491 average, and only Ottawa, Toronto and Stratford were lower among the 21 municipalities charted. The comparison leaves out stormwater, because some cities pay for it from the property tax. Staff describe London's rates as extremely competitive. 2027 Water and Wastewater Rates report, SPPC Oct 6, 2026 (PDF) ↗
On the City's 2023 asset plan, water, sanitary and storm assets are worth $20.7 billion, 73% of everything the City owns. The plan finds no 10-year gap for water and $66.8 million for sanitary and storm, 7% of the City's $946 million gap to keep current service levels. About 89% of water assets are in fair to very good condition. 2023 Corporate Asset Management Plan (PDF) ↗Water Service Area Financial Plan, Oct 2024 (PDF) ↗
Since 2006 the City has replaced more than 5,200 public-side lead services, and about 3% of services were still lead on the public side as of October 2024. Homes built before 1953 are the ones at risk. The City replaces its side free when an owner replaces the private side, and offers a 10-year loan on the tax bill for buildings with up to three units. Water Service Area Financial Plan, Oct 2024 (PDF) ↗City of London, Water system ↗
The plants
The tighter limit is sewage treatment. Staff wrote that the 2021 loss of Section 1 at the Greenway plant created a significant servicing gap affecting growth areas including downtown, and that the Province's housing push brings plant and pumping problems once projected 10 to 20 years out. Wastewater and Treatment 2024-2027 Business Plan (PDF) ↗
Part of the Pottersburg plant is out of service, and a $4.18 million transfer station to send its flow to Vauxhall is funded to support more than 2,000 new homes. The Hyde Park pumping station has no remaining capacity and holds back up to 1,900 homes. Planning and Environment Committee agenda, Sept 29, 2026 (PDF) ↗
Staff expect capacity constraints at the Oxford plant in the next two to three years. They will ask to move spending planned for 2032 up to 2027, are watching development approvals so as not to outpace capacity, and are targeting a new council policy on wastewater servicing capacity for the second quarter of 2027. Planning and Environment Committee agenda, June 22, 2026, p. 158 (PDF) ↗
Wastewater debt payments climb from 3.4% of wastewater rate revenue in 2024 to 9.7% by 2033. Water carries no rate-supported debt. The 10-year capital plans to 2033 total $707 million for water and $1.469 billion for wastewater. 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
London's tap water met every health-based standard in 2025. The annual report lists 6 adverse microbiological results out of 3,124 samples, all clean on resampling, one sodium result above the 20 mg/L notification level, and no parameter above half its provincial standard. 2025 Drinking Water Summary and Annual Report (PDF) ↗
The Ministry's 2025 inspection of the distribution system lists no non-compliance items. It records three lead exceedances from private plumbing, handled with the health unit and the occupants. MECP 2025 inspection report, London distribution system (PDF) ↗
In 2024 the City's table lists 55 bypass and overflow events at its plants and pumping stations. They released 62,398 m³ of raw overflow, 37,244 m³ of raw bypass, 224,643 m³ of primary-treated flow and 28,097 m³ of secondary-treated flow, about 352,000 m³ in all (derived, our sum of the City's four totals). Volumes follow big storms, so one year is not a trend. City of London, Bypasses and Overflows Data 2024 (PDF) ↗
On the latest Upper Thames report cards (2022 edition, 2016 to 2020 data), the Forks reach through central London graded D, with an E. coli geometric mean of 321 per 100 mL against a provincial recreational guideline of 200. Those grades also reflect farm and urban runoff, so they cannot be laid on London's plants alone. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, report card tables (PDF) ↗
Every water and wastewater rate decision this term passed committee without a dissenting vote. The 2027 rates passed the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee 14 to 0 on October 6, 2026, with Councillor Ferreira absent and no members of the public speaking. No member moved a water or wastewater amendment in the 2024 multi-year budget or the 2026 update. SPPC minutes, Oct 6, 2026 ↗2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
The one split vote found on water or sewers this term was on weeping tiles. On March 23, 2026 the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee voted on directing staff to report back with an implementation plan for a point-of-purchase weeping tile disconnection program, which would apply when qualifying older homes are sold. Councillors Franke and McAlister moved it and voted for it. Mayor Morgan and Councillors Peloza, Van Meerbergen and Stevenson voted against, and it failed 2 to 4. The committee then received the consultants' plan 6 to 0. On March 31 council approved the item without the report-back, 14 to 0 as part of the committee's report, and no member moved to restore it. Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee minutes, Mar 23, 2026 ↗Council minutes, Mar 31, 2026 ↗
With one split vote in the record, this file has no vote grid. Most of the differences among council members will show up in the decisions ahead. SPPC minutes, Oct 6, 2026 ↗
What cities try for this. Evidence for, evidence against, costs, and who decides, for every option, identically. The site does not pick one. That's council's job, and yours to weigh in on.
OPTION 1 OF 7
Steady full-cost rates, or smoothed increases
Set rates each year to fund pipe renewal, growth and debt on schedule, or smooth the increases by drawing on reserves, borrowing or retiming projects. Over 2024 to 2027 London's increases averaged 2.7% for water and 4.3% for wastewater, with swings from year to year.
For smoothing: retiming growth projects to the slower pace of development cut the 2026 increases from 2.6% to 2.2% for water and from 4.6% to 2.4% for wastewater, with no stated cut to service. 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
Against steady full-cost rates: rising fixed and usage charges weigh most on low-income and fixed-income households (see the low-income option below), and front-loading raises bills before growth revenue arrives. City of London, Your water bill ↗
At 2026 bills, each percentage point on water is about $5.70 a year for the average home and each point on wastewater (including stormwater) about $7.63 (derived from the City's average bill rows). 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
■ CITY DECIDESCouncil, through the annual W-8 and WM-28 rate by-laws and the multi-year budget. Under strong-mayor rules the Mayor tables the budget, and the rate by-laws are council votes.
OPTION 2 OF 7
Build sewage capacity first, or pace approvals to it
Build plant and pumping upgrades at Oxford, Pottersburg, Greenway and Hyde Park ahead of demand, or hold development approvals where capacity is short until the work is done. The council policy targeted for the second quarter of 2027 will set the rule.
Against building first: it is costly. Staff priced the Pottersburg upgrade at about $400 million, about half of it for growth, and water's development-charge reserves fall to a projected $3.7 million in 2026. Since the exemption top-ups ended, the City's stated plan for a shortfall is to retime growth works. Planning and Environment Committee agenda, Oct 1, 2025 (PDF) ↗2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
□ SHARED: CITY + PROVINCECouncil sets the capital budget, the capacity policy and development charges. The Province sets the development-charge exemptions and housing targets and funds some projects through the Building Faster Fund.
OPTION 3 OF 7
Replace lead service pipes faster
Add grants, targeted replacement or replacement on sale to London's loan-only help for the private side. Today the City replaces its side free when an owner replaces theirs, and lends owners of buildings with up to three units the private-side cost on the tax bill over 10 years.
■ CITY DECIDESCouncil sets the program design and pays for it through the water rate. Health Canada and the Province set the lead standards.
OPTION 4 OF 7
Cut sewage overflows to the Thames faster
Speed up combined sewer separation, require or pay for weeping tile disconnection, and set a public overflow target. About $57 million has gone to sewer separation projects since 2018.
□ SHARED: CITY + PROVINCECouncil sets wastewater capital and would pass any disconnection by-law. The Province approves sewage works and sets the overflow policy.
OPTION 5 OF 7
Charge stormwater by hard surface
Replace London's flat stormwater fee ($20.74 a month for most lots of 0.4 hectares or less) with tiers based on roofs and paving, with credits for owners who manage runoff on site.
Windsor's restructured charge cut homeowners' bills but brought what CBC Windsor reported as a huge increase for big box stores. CBC Windsor, sewer surcharge changes ↗
A switch needs hard-surface mapping of every property and a credit program to run (derived from the design of the programs above). City of Kitchener, Stormwater utility ↗
Stormwater is 28% of wastewater revenue and $249 a year on the average home in 2026. A restructure would shift who pays the charge and need not raise the total. 2026 Annual Budget Update (PDF) ↗
■ CITY DECIDESCouncil, through By-law WM-28.
OPTION 6 OF 7
Ongoing bill help for low-income households
Add a standing rebate or reduced rate on top of today's $100,000-a-year crisis fund, which the $0.25 monthly customer-assistance charge pays for. The fund pauses until January 1 if it runs out.
London's fixed charges come to about $58 a month for a typical house whatever the use, so a household using very little still pays roughly $700 a year (derived). City of London, Your water bill ↗
■ CITY DECIDESCouncil, through the W-8 rates and the use of the customer-assistance reserve.
OPTION 7 OF 7
Move water into a public corporation
Deliver water and wastewater through a separate public corporation under the 2025 Act, by choice or by provincial designation. London already shares its drinking water supply with neighbours through the two regional boards.
□ PROVINCE DECIDESThe Province designates by regulation. Council decides any expression of interest and its advocacy position, and every member municipality has a say for the regional systems.
What the new council decides, and when
Events on the calendar, not outcomes. Dates the City hasn't set are marked as such.
Anyone at City Hall can say this issue matters. These are the questions that ask for specifics. Send them to your councillor, or bring them to a committee meeting.
Water and sewer bills rise about 5% in 2027 after a smaller increase in 2026. For the next four-year budget, would you raise rates steadily to keep pace with repairs and growth, or hold them down and delay projects, and which projects would you delay?
The Oxford sewage plant is expected to run tight within two to three years. When a plant is near capacity, should new homes wait, should growth pay more through development charges, or should all ratepayers pay to expand sooner?
London helps with lead pipes through a loan, not a grant. Would you keep that, add grants, or require replacement when a home is sold, and who should pay?
About 50,000 homes still send weeping tile water into the sewer, which feeds overflows to the Thames. Should the City require disconnection, pay more of the cost, or keep it voluntary?
Most properties under 0.4 hectares pay the same stormwater charge whatever their roof and paving. Should the charge depend on how much hard surface a property has, with credits for owners who manage their own runoff?
If the Province offered or required a separate water corporation for London, what would you need to see on ownership, rates and accountability before supporting it?
Issues in your ward
Jump to the issues from the files that touch your ward:
CLAIMS THAT COULDN’T BE VERIFIED, SO THEY’RE NOT ON THIS PAGE ▾
These circulate in coverage of this issue but could not be traced to a source that loads and says what’s claimed. The site would rather show you the gap than publish the number.
Rated capacity and current flow at each of London's five sewage plants. The City publishes no plant-by-plant table.
A current count of lead services, public or private, and the yearly replacement pace.
2025 plant bypass and overflow totals (the City's page lists data only to 2024) and any reliable 2023 total.
PFAS results for London or either regional plant.
The Ministry's numeric inspection rating for London and the regional systems.
London's share of the phosphorus reaching the Thames.
London's vote share on the Elgin Area board.
Comparable costs elsewhere for building sewage capacity ahead of growth and for sewer separation.
