METERING OVERVIEW
Water meters are important tools that help:
- Identify leaks – Our water system is old and likely losing water due to leaks. Leaks can waste a large amount of the community’s water. Water meters will help us identify where, so we can make repairs.
- Bill fairly based on use – Currently, the Village uses flat rate billing, so everyone pays the same regardless of use. Water meters help residents pay a fair rate based on individual household use.
- Create awareness of water use – Residents will be able to track how much water they use and make informed decisions on how to use their water.
- Make our water infrastructure last longer – High water consumption causes more wear and tear on our operating equipment, which requires more maintenance, and can shorten the equipment’s life cycle.
- Access funding – The Village depends on provincial and federal funding to access grants that help us repair, upgrade, and build community infrastructure. Increasingly, these water and sewer infrastructure grants are given to communities that have water meters and practice water conservation.
According to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Canadians who live in homes that are metered use 39% less water than those who live in homes that are not metered.
Why is metering needed?
Installing water meters has been part of the Village’s plans for long-term water service delivery since 2014. Water meters will help us conserve more water, something that is necessary to make the best use of our existing water infrastructure. To manage our reservoir storage and stay within the capacity of our existing water treatment plant, our entire community must adopt water metering and work together to conserve more water.
How is the project being funded?
The Village has secured $2.7 million in grant funding from the Province, which is expected to fully cover the purchase and installation of water meters. There is no direct cost to residents for this work.
What if the project goes over budget?
If costs exceed the grant amount, the Village has committed to using reserve funds to cover any additional expenses. This ensures the project remains fully funded without passing on costs to residents.
Why is the Village’s water use so high?
Currently, the Village’s water use is much higher per person when compared to other communities across BC. This is true for both winter and summer use, although summer use is significantly higher.
High summer use is likely due partly to irrigation, but high winter use is a sign that our system could be leaking. Installing water meters helps us better understand where our water is going – where is it being lost to system leaks? Are there unauthorized connections? Are there household leaks?
Installing water meters will help us collect the information we need as a community to make decisions on where repairs are needed and help residents better understand their own water use.
Can I opt out of the upgrade?
All residents who are connected to the Village’s water system will be required to have a water meter.
Where will the meter be installed on my property?
Nearly all residential properties will have the water meter installed inside the home. Meters are typically installed in basements or utility rooms alongside your existing utilities. We will be hiring an experienced installer to help you set up an installation appointment closer to winter that will work with your schedule. No one will enter your property or residence unannounced or without your permission.
Who is responsible for maintaining the meters once they are installed?
The Village is responsible for maintaining the meters. Although we don’t know the exact model yet, the style of water meter will enable remote readings so Village staff will not need to physically check the meter for readings. If maintenance or an in-person reading is required for any reason, we will work with the homeowner to arrange a time. No one will enter your property or residence unannounced.
Are there any health or privacy concerns with the water meters?
No. Millions of water meters are safely operating inside homes across North America. The water meters we select for installation will comply with all regulatory standards for safety. They do not pose any health risks and are designed to protect customer data and privacy.
What if I don’t want a water meter installed in my home?
Each residential property that receives water from the Village’s water utility is required to have a water meter. Property owners who choose not to have the water meter installed inside their home can pay for a pit installation:
- Pit installation: A water meter with remote reading capabilities can be installed below-ground near the street property line. As grant funding only covers internal meters, property owners will need to cover additional costs for the type of meter and installation. In some communities, this cost exceeds $1,000.
WATER USAGE AND BILLING
How is water usage currently being tracked? How will this change with the new meters?
Currently, water use is tracked at pump stations and by a small number of water meters. When we look at the data, we see a big difference in what is being recorded, but in a properly functioning system, these numbers should agree. This gap means we don’t have a good idea of how our community is actually using its water, where it’s going, and where it’s being lost. Because our water infrastructure is old, some of the water loss is likely due to leaks.
Installing residential water meters will help us understand where our water is being used. The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology on your new water meter will use cellular technology to regularly communicate with data readers, helping us act faster to address leaks.
All data collected will be private and secure. Each meter has a unique identification number that is securely transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique ID is linked to your utility bill account number and contains no personal information. Any data gathered contains no personal information and is stored in a secure server.
How will this impact my water bill? What is volumetric billing?
Future water bills will involve two components, a base water utility fee and a volumetric rate (this is what is meant by “volumetric billing”). The base utility fee covers the cost for maintaining the Village’s water system. The volumetric rate covers the costs for water used during the billing period.
So, if you use zero water in a billing period, you’ll still receive a bill, but it will just reflect the base fee that covers the cost of the utility. Customers who use a lot of water will pay more, and those who conserve will pay less in comparison. Modest rate adjustments are expected in the future due to rising operational costs – such as electricity, fuel, and equipment replacement.
What is included in the base utility fee?
Charges on your water bills will be based on the actual cost to sustainably deliver the service, such as ongoing system operations and maintenance and infrastructure renewal costs. These are often the fixed costs of operating the system and do not change much with changes in water usage.
When will my water bill change?
Volumetric billing will not be implemented right away. Once water meters are installed, we will operate our water system for at least one year with our regular fee system as we make the transition. During the transition (2026 through 2027), you will be provided with a mock bill that will show what you can expect to pay once we move to volumetric billing.
Households will have the time to understand their consumption patterns and adjust before we start volumetric billing.
This transition period enables us to collect important data on water usage, ensuring that property owners are charged accurately and equitably. Actual water meter billing is anticipated to begin in the second year after water meter installation.
When will my water bill change?
Volumetric billing will not be implemented right away. Once water meters are installed, we will operate our water system for at least one year with our regular fee system as we make the transition. During the transition (2026 through 2027), you will be provided with a mock bill that will show what you can expect to pay once we move to volumetric billing.
Households will have the time to understand their consumption patterns and adjust before we start volumetric billing.
This transition period enables us to collect important data on water usage, ensuring that property owners are charged accurately and equitably. Actual water meter billing is anticipated to begin in the second year after water meter installation.
COMMUNICATION AND NOTIFICATIONS
If you have any questions, please call 250-453-9161 or email: watermeters@ashcroftbc.ca