Water Meters

Account Information

For information on your account and/or billing inquiries please contact Utility Billings at (or 604.873.7000 from outside Vancouver city limits) or by e-mail to utilities@vancouver.ca. This account information is also available on the Property Inquiry webpage.

You can pay your account in a number of ways. See the Paying Your Utilities webpage. Utility Billing can also assist you if you feel your meter is not reading properly. They have the history of the property and can assist you with your consumption inquiries, e.g., high consumption readings.

Meter Reading & Billings

Water meters are read using the latest Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology. This technology allows meters to be read via radio by a vehicle mounted interrogation unit during each billing cycle.

Unmetered single family homes & duplexes are billed an annual flat rate. The flat rate is set annually by City Council.

Commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family residential and metered single family homes and metered duplexes customers are billed based on consumption. There is also a flat rate meter charge on the bill based on the size of the meter which covers the cost of reading, billing, meter maintenance and replacement.

The bill also contains a sewer charge which is usually based on 85% of the water consumption. Metered properties are read and billed on a three month billing cycle (e.g., each meter is read and billed 4 times a year). Invoicing occurs immediately after meter reading. More information and current rates on the Permits, Fees & Rates page.

Repairs or Problem Requests

Please call to report problems with your water meter. You will then be contacted by the Water Meter Department to discuss your concern. They will explain what charges may apply. High consumption concerns and account inquiries should be directed to Utilities Billing

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New Meter Installations

New development results in the installation of new meters and in most cases they replace an aging device. If you have an inquiry around installation of a new meter as part of your water service permit process please contact Water Design at 604.873.7311.

Water Meter Locations

Water meters are installed in underground boxes near the property line at the same level as a sidewalk. They are often distinguished by a steel or plastic lid (see picture below). Water meters in commercial buildings are often located inside utility rooms.

Meter Maintenance

To ensure functionality and accuracy, the meter inventory is subject to maintenance activities on a routine basis, and whenever a problem appears to warrant unplanned investigation. Generally, all meters for large volume customers and fire lines are maintained on an annual basis, and all other compound meters every three years. Maintenance activities generally involve testing. If the meter fails the test, diagnostic and repair work follows to bring the meter to an acceptable accuracy range.

If you discover the meter box plate (square cover) is damaged or missing please report this by calling . Broken, noisy and leaking meters should also be reported immediately.

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