Understanding Your Water Bill

Understanding Your Water Bill

Introduction

This page provides general information to help customers understand their water bill, including common billing terms, water rates, meter readings, non-metered billing, and who to contact for billing or technical questions.

Water charges are applied in accordance with the TteS Water Rates and Regulation Bylaw No. 2025-03. The information below is intended to explain the bill in plain language and help customers understand how water charges may be applied.

Billing Period

Water utility bills are normally issued quarterly.

A quarterly bill covers a specific billing period, such as:

January 1 to March 31

Under the TteS Water Rates and Regulation Bylaw, water rates are payable quarterly on the first day of April, July, October, and January.

Understanding Your Charges

A water bill may include different types of charges depending on the property, service size, water use, meter status, and approved bylaw category.

Common water billing charges may include:

• Base Rate
• Minimum User Rate
• Metered Rate
• Flat-rate or unit-based charges
• Other applicable fees under the bylaw

Base Rate

The Base Rate is a fixed charge applied to properties using the water service.

This charge helps support the cost of operating, maintaining, repairing, and keeping the water system available, even when water use is low or no water is used during the billing period.

The bylaw states that the Base Rate is charged for each property using the Water Service and is in addition to other charges, such as the Minimum User Rate and/or Metered Rate.

Minimum User Rate

The Minimum User Rate is the minimum quarterly water charge based on the type of property or use.

Different property types may have different minimum user rates. For example, the bylaw includes rates for residential units, commercial uses, boarding house rooms, hotel or motel rooms, restaurant seats, schools, care units, and other uses.

For some properties, especially where actual water use is low or a valid meter reading is not available, the Minimum User Rate may apply.

Metered Rate

For metered properties, water consumption is measured in cubic metres.

The Metered Rate is applied to the amount of water used during the billing period. The current bylaw lists the metered water rate as $0.95 per cubic metre.

Customers should refer to the current TteS Water Rates and Regulation Bylaw for approved rates.

How Your Bill Is Calculated

A quarterly water bill is generally calculated as:

Base Rate + the greater of the Minimum User Rate or actual Metered Rate

This means the bill includes the Base Rate plus either the minimum charge or the actual water-use charge, whichever is greater.

If the metered water-use charge is lower than the Minimum User Rate, the Minimum User Rate applies.

If the metered water-use charge is higher than the Minimum User Rate, the metered water-use charge applies.

The bylaw states that quarterly water billing is the Base Rate plus the greater of the Minimum User Rate or the actual Metered Rate.

Non-Metered or Unit-Based Billing

Some properties may be billed using a non-metered, flat-rate, or unit-based method.

This may apply when:

• a meter is not installed
• a meter is not functioning
• a meter reading is unavailable
• billing is based on bylaw-approved categories
• the property is a modular home community or another multi-unit property

For example, a modular home community may be billed based on the number of residential units and the applicable bylaw-approved rates when metered billing is not available.

When a Meter Reading Is Not Available

If a meter is not working, cannot be accessed, or does not provide a valid reading, water charges may still apply.

The bylaw allows charges to be calculated based on previous water use or other available information when a meter is out of order or fails to register the full amount of water supplied.

This helps ensure that water billing can continue while the meter issue is reviewed, repaired, or corrected.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for providing accurate and updated information that may affect water billing.

Customers should notify TteS if there is a change in:

• property use
• occupancy
• number of units
• tenant or business use
• water service status
• meter access
• any other matter that may affect water fees or charges

The bylaw states that customers must notify the Planning and Engineering Department in writing of any change in use, occupancy, site serviced, or other matter that may affect fees or charges.

Customers must also allow reasonable access for inspection of the premises, water piping system, meter location, meter connection, and bypass facilities when required under the bylaw.

Payment Options

Water utility bills may be paid through the approved payment options listed on the invoice.

Common payment options include:

• in-office payment by debit, cheque, or cash
• online bill payment through your financial institution by adding TteS as a payee

TteS does not accept e-transfers for utility bill payments.

Please refer to your invoice for current payment instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have a Base Rate on my bill?

The Base Rate is a fixed charge for properties using the water service. It helps support the cost of keeping the water system available, including operation, maintenance, repair, and infrastructure needs.

What is the Minimum User Rate?

The Minimum User Rate is the minimum quarterly water charge based on the type of property or use. Different property types may have different minimum user rates under the bylaw.

How is my quarterly water bill calculated?

A quarterly water bill is generally calculated as:

Base Rate + the greater of the Minimum User Rate or actual Metered Rate

This means the bill includes the Base Rate plus either the minimum charge or the actual water-use charge, whichever is greater.

Why am I billed if my water use is low or zero?

The Base Rate still applies to properties using the water service because the water system must be operated and maintained even when water use is low. The Minimum User Rate may also apply depending on the property type and billing situation.

Why is my property billed by the number of units?

Some properties, such as modular home communities or multi-unit properties, may be billed based on the number of residential units or other bylaw-approved categories, especially when metered billing is not available or not applicable.

What happens if my meter cannot be read?

If a valid meter reading is not available, TteS may calculate water charges using previous consumption or other available information, in accordance with the bylaw.

Who do I contact for billing questions?

For billing questions, invoice balances, payments, or account information, please contact:

Finance
Email: [email protected]

Who do I contact for meter or water service questions?

For technical questions about water meters, meter access, meter readings, or water service requirements, please contact:

Public Works / Water Services
Email: [email protected]