City Encourages Residents to Switch to Free Email Billing Service
The City of Prince Albert is reminding residents that mailed paper copies of water utility bills will soon come with an added cost, as the municipality moves to encourage wider adoption of electronic billing services.
Beginning June 1, 2026, customers who continue receiving printed utility bills by mail will be charged a $2 fee per bill. City officials say residents can avoid the added charge by signing up for free email billing before May 31.
The change is part of the City’s broader effort to reduce administrative and mailing expenses while improving delivery reliability for utility customers.
“We’re encouraging residents to make the switch to email billing before June 1 to avoid unnecessary fees and enjoy a more convenient way to receive their utility bills,” said Natara Chubak, Financial Operations Manager for the City of Prince Albert. “Email delivery is faster, more reliable, and helps reduce printing and mailing costs.”
Push Toward Digital Billing
According to the City, residents who register for email billing by the end of May will continue receiving their utility bills directly in their inbox at no cost. Officials say the online system offers quicker delivery and reduces the likelihood of delays associated with traditional mail service.
The municipality is encouraging residents to complete the registration process online through the City’s utility billing webpage. Using the online form also helps reduce errors related to incorrect email submissions, which could otherwise lead to missed bills or account issues.
The move reflects a growing trend among Canadian municipalities and utility providers to transition customers toward digital communication methods as organizations seek to streamline operations and reduce paper consumption.
Additional Fees for Printed Copies
In addition to the new mailing fee, the City confirmed that customers requesting printed copies for pickup at City Hall will face a significantly higher charge.
Residents choosing to obtain a printed utility bill in person will be required to pay a $10 printing fee per bill.
The City did not specify how many residents currently receive paper utility bills, but officials are encouraging customers to switch early to avoid service interruptions or unexpected charges once the policy takes effect.
SaskTel Users Asked to Check Spam Settings
The City also issued a specific reminder for residents using SaskTel email services.
Officials noted that some utility bills sent electronically may be filtered into spam or junk folders if citypa.com is not added to trusted sender lists. To help residents avoid missing invoices, the City has provided step-by-step instructions on its website explaining how to whitelist the domain.
Municipal officials say ensuring accurate email delivery will be especially important as more residents move away from paper billing.
City Promotes Convenience and Cost Savings
The City framed the transition as both a convenience measure for residents and a cost-saving initiative for municipal operations.
Electronic billing eliminates printing and postage costs while also reducing paper usage, aligning with broader efforts by municipalities across Canada to modernize public services through digital platforms.
Residents interested in making the switch can register for email billing through the City’s online portal before the May 31 deadline.
The City is continuing its public awareness campaign ahead of implementation and is urging residents to act soon to avoid added charges once the new billing policy takes effect.
“The City encourages residents to make the switch now and say goodbye to snail mail and hello to their inbox.”