Utilitiy FAQs
Utilities Frequently Asked
Water and/or Wastewater Questions
Q: Can I charge a water and/or wastewater rate without the Board Order?
A: No, prior approval from the Public Utilities Board (Board) must be received. The Board has rate and other regulatory responsibilities for all of Manitoba’s water and/or wastewater utilities. However, the Board does not approve rates for the City of Winnipeg.
Q: How many applications does the Board receive?
A: The Board has a regulatory caseload of approximately 240 water and/or wastewater utilities, including approximately 200 municipal utilities and 40 cooperative or privately owned utilities.
Q: How do i contact the Board?
Q: How do i contact the Board?
A: The Board prefers email contact at publicutilities@gov.mb.ca. Other contact information is located on this website, please see our Contact Us page for more information.
Q: What is the annual filing fee?
A: Per section 1.1(1) of The Public Utilities Board Act Regulation, water and/or wastewater utilities are required to pay the Board a fee of $100 on or before December 31st annually.
Q: Does the filing fee have to be paid by every utility?
A: No, Per section 1.1(2) of The Public Utilities Board Act Regulation, utilities having 25 customers or less (whether they are year-round or seasonal) are exempt from paying the annual filing fee. Exempt or not, ALL utilities must complete and submit the Minimum Annual Filing Requirements form.
Q: Do I have to file the utility's audited financial statement with the Board?
A: Yes for both Municipally owned and Co-op/ Privately owned Utilities.
A: Yes for both Municipally owned and Co-op/ Privately owned Utilities.
For Municipally Owned Utilities: under The Municipal Act, all water and wastewater utilities are required to submit their annual audited/consolidated financial statements to the Board no later than June 30th annually.
*NOTE: The Board requests that all utilities submit their annual filing fees along with their audited financial statements and/or Minimum Annual Filing Requirements.
Q: What documents do I send to the Board?
A: The documents required depend on the type of application being submitted. All applications can be found at the following link and include a list of required supporting documents.
A: The documents required depend on the type of application being submitted. All applications can be found at the following link and include a list of required supporting documents.
Q: How do I submit my application and documents?
A: The method of submission used is the Applicant’s decision, however all documents must also be submitted electronically (preferably in Word version) to the Board via email to publicutilities@gov.mb.ca
A: The method of submission used is the Applicant’s decision, however all documents must also be submitted electronically (preferably in Word version) to the Board via email to publicutilities@gov.mb.ca
Q: What happens if I submit an application without all required documents?
A: Any application received without all required documents will be returned to the Applicant and will not be added to the Queue.
A: Any application received without all required documents will be returned to the Applicant and will not be added to the Queue.
*NOTE: Applications are responsible for their application; the Board will not hold or add applications to the Queue while the Applicant obtains/submits additional information.
Q: Who prepares the Public Notice of Application?
A: Board staff will prepare a Public Notice of Application and send to the Applicant for review. The Applicant must advise of any changes required and confirm correctness.
A: Board staff will prepare a Public Notice of Application and send to the Applicant for review. The Applicant must advise of any changes required and confirm correctness.
Q: What do I do with the Public Notice of Application?
A: You will receive a publishable copy of the Public Notice, either a Notice of Application or a Notice of Hearing, depending on the situation.
A: You will receive a publishable copy of the Public Notice, either a Notice of Application or a Notice of Hearing, depending on the situation.
The Public Notice must be posted in five (5) prominent places within the community or surrounding communities and mailed to all customers; OR Posted in five (5) prominent places within the community or surrounding communities and published in a local newspaper for one (1) week twice (2X).
The Board also suggests the Applicant host a public information meeting without Board involvement to satisfy any ratepayer concerns. The Board looks favorable on transparent communication between the Applicant and its ratepayers.
Q: What if ratepayers ask questions, or if they contact the Board with questions?
A: It is up to the Applicant and their Council to provide responses to the ratepayers' questions. The Board does not respond on behalf of the Applicant. If the Board receives questions regarding the application, it will direct them to the Utility. The Applicant should provide a copy of all questions or concerns, and responses (if applicable) to the Board.
If Board Staff receive questions from ratepayers, it will direct them to the Utility to respond if it is regarding the rate application.
Q: What process is used to review applications?
A: The Board typically reviews applications using a paper-based review, but the Board will hold public hearings if it determines that it is in the best interest of the ratepayers (i.e. residents, businesses, etc.) and the Utility.
When reviewing a rate application, the Board reviews the financial requirements of the utility as well as the impact on the consumer. While the Board is sensitive to ratepayer reactions to increases, it must also consider the sustainability of the utility.
Q: What is an Information Request (IR)?
A: Once Board staff have reviewed an application, any questions arising from the submission are sent to the Applicant in an Information Request (IR) letter. The responses are required on or before the due date in order for the application to continue processing. Without the response(s) to the IR letter, the application will wait in the Queue.
Q: What is the Queue?
A: The Queue is a listing used to record all incoming applications in order of date received. The applications are then reviewed by the Board in the date order they were received unless documentation is missing.
Q: How do I know whether the Board will require a Paper Review or Public Hearing review?
A: The Board uses many factors in determining which method of review is to be used. One factor is ratepayer responses received after the Public Notice of Application has ended. The Board will inform the utility if a Public Hearing will be held.
Q: What are the costs associated with submission of an application?
A: Some average costs are $500 for a Paper Review and $1,500 for a Public Hearing. Costs are at the Board's discretion.
Q: What if I have changes to make the application, or questions to ask?
A: Board staff work closely with the Applicant throughout the entire process and will respond to any questions or concerns you may have.
Q: How will I know the outcome of my application?
A: You will receive a Board Order that includes, amongst other things, an Executive Summary, Background, Board Findings, Directives and Fees owed.
Q: Do I have to follow or comply with the Order(s)?
A: Yes, a Board Order is a directive from the Board to the Applicant. Per section 100 of The Public Utilities Board Act, the Board can impose penalties of up to $100/day for every day the default continues. If the applicant does not comply, penalties may be imposed.