Metered water

A water meter measures the amount of water used in your home or business. It records consumption in cubic meters. These meters are highly accurate and only measure water that passes through them.

Billing and invoices

Utility bills for metered water are issued quarterly, meaning you will receive four bills each year. For more information, see utility billing.

Location of your water meter

Most water meters are located at the property line. It is important to keep the area around your meter clear of obstacles for easy access and maintenance.

Ownership and maintenance

The City owns all water meter infrastructure. A repair and rental fee is included in your quarterly bill to cover maintenance, servicing and replacement of the meters.

High water bills and meter accuracy

Water meters cannot record more water than what has actually been used. If your bill is higher than expected, it is due to increased consumption or potential leaks.

As meters age, they may begin to under-record usage, meaning your bill may be lower than your actual consumption. If a meter stops working completely, charges will be estimated based on past consumption until the meter is repaired.

Causes of increased water consumption

Leaking toilets

Toilets are the most common cause of increased water usage. A toilet leak is not always visible or audible. To check for a leak:

1. Remove the toilet tank lid.
2. Add a few drops of red or blue food colouring to the tank.
3. Wait at least 10 minutes without flushing.
4. If the colour appears in the bowl, there is a leak.

Leaks can often be fixed by adjusting or replacing the float rod, float ball, flapper valve or valve seat. A plumber can help if needed.

Leaking faucets

Dripping faucets can significantly increase water consumption. There are four common types of faucets: compression, ball-type, cartridge and disc. Check the high water consumption checklist for more information on identifying and fixing leaks.

Underground leaks

Leaks in underground pipes can lead to significant water loss. If you suspect an underground leak, have a certified plumber conduct a pressure test on your water line.

Common causes of leaks

Leaks can occur in various places. Use the high water consumption checklist to identify potential sources of water loss.

High water consumption checklist:

Impact of leaks on your water bill

Even small leaks can increase your bill significantly. Below are estimated costs based on different leak sizes:

Leak size	Cubic meters/day	Cubic meters/month	Monthly cost	Quarterly cost
Dripping leak	0.06	1.70	$2.38	$7.14
1/32" leak	1.00	29.98	$41.92	$125.95
1/16" leak	3.57	107.13	$149.72	$449.17
1/8" leak	14.41	432.29	$604.30	$1,812.89
1/4" leak	57.64	1729.18	$2,417.50	$7,252.50
1/2" leak	230.53	6915.95	$9,669.36	$29,008.08

Refer to the high water consumption checklist to identify possible causes of increased usage.

Additional meter readings

The City reads all meters automatically every quarter. If we need to reread your meter and can’t access it after contacting you to schedule a visit, a $35 fee will apply for a return visit. If you request an extra meter reading outside the regular schedule, there is also a $35 fee.

Leak adjustment rebates

The City may offer a one-time rebate for leaks in underground service lines between the water meter and the building. The rebate covers up to 40 per cent of the metered water utility fee and is at the discretion of the Finance department. To qualify:

• The leak must have occurred in the underground service line.
• The leak must have caused excessive water usage.
• The leak must not have been caused by negligence.
• Proof of repair must be provided.

This rebate is attached to the property, not the owner, and can only be used once. Rebates do not apply to internal leaks, irrigation system leaks, or leaks beyond the buried service line.