Niagara Region approves Waste Management and Water and Wastewater 2026 budgets

December 12, 2025

Niagara Region has approved both the Waste Management and the Water and Wastewater Services budgets for 2026.

For the Niagara Region 2026 Budget, a 1.15 per cent decrease for Waste Management Services and a 7.42 per cent increase for Water and Wastewater Services were approved.

Niagara residents pay for Waste Management and Water and Wastewater rates to support programs such as waste collection and water and wastewater services.

Waste Management Services

Niagara Region oversees waste and organics collection for all municipalities, as well as the operation of landfill sites and public drop off depots. For 2026, the gross Waste Management Services budget is $52.8 million with an amount of $45.7 million being allotted to regional ratepayers.

The approval of a 1.15 per cent year-over-year decrease for Waste Management Services means that the average Niagara household can expect to pay approximately $3 less per year versus 2025 depending on the municipality you live in.

This year-over-year decrease is partly due to changes required under the Province’s Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21), which shifts responsibility for residential recycling to producers. As a result, effective Jan. 1, 2026, recycling collection for non-residential properties serviced by Niagara Region will be discontinued. Approximately 4,375 non-residential properties previously serviced for recycling will now be required to arrange private collection or utilize public drop off depots.

Costs for Waste Management Services are allocated to municipalities based on the number of residential units and are primarily charged to residents based on special tax rates established for municipalities by the Region and applied to the assessed value of households.

Water and Wastewater Services

Niagara Region works together with local municipalities to support water and wastewater services. For the Regional portion of Water and Wastewater rates, the gross budget for 2026 is $193.5 million with a net recoverable from Water and Wastewater ratepayers of $186.4 million.

Of the 7.42 per cent increase that was approved for Water and Wastewater Services, 6.25 per cent will be invested into a maintenance strategy program, preparing for upcoming key infrastructure updates. The other 1.17 per cent will support the day-to-day costs associated with water and wastewater services for Niagara residents.

Regional Water and Wastewater Services costs are distributed to municipalities based on water demands and wastewater flows and are then incorporated into the local municipal water and sewer bills.

For Water and Wastewater Services, the average Niagara household can expect to pay an additional $60 in 2026 for a total approximate cost of $866, depending on the municipality you live in, compared to the approximate $806 paid in 2025.

Council will continue to make final decisions on the General Tax Levy, including budgets for the Region's Agencies, Boards and Commissions and Incentives.

The General Tax Levy budget provides funding for the other business of Niagara Region, such as public health, long-term care, emergency services, roads and economic development, as well as its boards and agencies, and pays for investments that support economic prosperity, quality of life and our natural environment.

Media contact

Rachel Dedinsky
Senior Communications Specialist
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3747
rachel.dedinsky@niagararegion.ca