Water & Utility Rates
Your Utility Bill
Home owners in the City of Richmond are issued a utility bill annually. This bill covers services for water supply, sewage collection and treatment, drainage, diking, solid waste, recycling, flood protection, grease management and environmental protection.
The rate is set annually based on Metro Vancouver service fees and City of Richmond costs associated municipal infrastructure renewal and maintenance, operating and related services.
The 2013 Flat Rate Utility Bill due date is April 2, 2013.
The 2013 Qtr 1 (Jan - Mar) Meter Utility Bill due date is June 13, 2013.
The rate is set annually based on Metro Vancouver service fees and City of Richmond costs associated with municipal infrastructure renewal and maintenance, operating and related services.
The City’s total utility budget for these services in 2013 is approximately $90 million. Metro Vancouver service fees represent the largest portion, or approximately 45% of this amount. Maintenance and renewal/replacement of City infrastructure to ensure provision of these services to residents and businesses is 25% of the total. City operating costs are 22% and contract fees are 8%. The following chart depicts this breakdown:
The increase in 2013 is approximately $3.35 million, an approximate 5% increase over last year.
Average Cost for City Utility Services
Based on the average single family home (NET Billing):
| Service | Cost Per Year | Cost Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $ 577.95 | $1.58 |
| Sewer | $ 385.38 | $1.06 |
| Garbage, Recycling, & Environmental Programs | $ 251.40 | $0.69 |
| Dykes & Drainage | $ 120.31 | $0.33 |
| Total | $1,335.04 | $3.66 |
Metered Utility Rates (Per Cubic Meter):
Water 1.1976
Sewer 1.0319
Meter Maintenance
connection 1" or less $12.00
connection greater than 1" $14.00
Water Supply
Richmond’s water comes from three Metro Vancouver reservoirs in the North Shore Mountains . Metro Vancouver delivers bulk water to Richmond and the City is responsible for delivery to businesses and residence. The City maintains an infrastructure of approximately 630 km of water pipe and constructs new and replacement water infrastructure every year, with approximately $7.55 million budgeted in 2013.
Water charges in 2013 have risen primarily due to increasing Metro Vancouver water rates. These Metro Vancouver rate increases are due to the completion of a new filtration plant as well as the ongoing construction of the twin tunnels which will connect the Capilano reservoir to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve filtration plant.
Overall, our region , including Richmond, is investing billions of dollars in improving the treatment of our drinking water to ensure the water from our taps is amongst the safest drinking water in the world.
The City pays Metro Vancouver for water by the cubic metre. By reducing the amount of water consumed, there are direct savings.
Water Conservation
The City pays Metro Vancouver for water by the cubic metre. By reducing the amount of water consumed, there are direct savings.
You can save money and help the environment by participating in City programs designed to help reduce water consumption. For more information on water conservation or the City’s water metering program visit www.richmond.ca/savewater or call 604-244-1281.
Three examples of water conservation are...
Rain barrels
Rain barrels can be used to collect rainwater for watering plants, gardens, lawns, and washing outside surfaces. They are available for purchase at the City’s Recycling Depot (5555 Lynas Lane). Barrels are 45 gallons (202 litre) or 50 gallon (225 litre) for $20.00. The barrels will require a water diverter for $16.00.
Water conservation devices
Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators can be used in the kitchen and bathroom. Pop-flush devices can reduce toilet water use. These items can be found at local hardware stores.
Toilet rebate program
Toilets account for 25 per cent of indoor water usage. Changing to low-flush toilets can save 60 per cent of toilet water usage (70 litres per person per day). The City provides a $100 rebate for each 13 litre per flush toilet replaced with a 4.8 litre or less (or 4.1 litre/6 litre dual flush) per toilet. (A maximum of two toilet rebates per household). For more information visit www.richmond.ca/savewater or contact 604-244-1281.
Sewage Collection and Treatement
The City maintains 560 km of sewer mains and 151 pump stations. The City’s infrastructure directs the sewage to the Lulu Island and Annocis Island sewage treatment plants, which are owned and operated by Metro Vancouver. As with water, the City also constructs new and replacement sewer infrastructure every year, with approximately $4.3 million budgeted for these works in 2013.
Annually the City of Richmond pays Metro Vancouver for sewer treatment plants and maintenace costs. In 2013, the costs are approximately $17 million, which is a 10% increase ($1,576 million) over last year.
Drainage and Flood Protection
The City's drainage infrastructure is made up of an extensive system of pump stations, flood boxes, irrigation canals and storm sewers. Each pump station is powered by electricity, which is a large part of the overall operating cost considering over one million US gallons (3.8 million litres) of water per minute can be pumped, if required. All of these stations are monitored remotely, 24 hours per day, to ensure the pumps are operating effectively. In 2012, the No. 4 Road pump station was replaced with award winning technology and in 2013, the No. 1 Road pump station and the Williams Road west pump station replacement projects will be completed.
Drainage costs are increased marginally each year to allow the City to develop a fund for drainage infrastructure replacement costs, helping to maintain and improve the City's high level of flood protection.
Recycling and Solid Waste
The utility bill includes the cost of weekly garbage and recycling collection, as well as other aspects of the City's recycling and waste management services.
In June 2013, the City of Richmond is introducing two new programs to enhance service for residents and support our goal to divert 70% of waste from landfills by 2015:
- New Green Cart for recycling food scraps and yard trimmings
- Large Item Pick Up program
The additiona operating costs for these new programs are included in the charges to those residents eligible for the program.
For more infromation, refer to your 2013 Recycling and Garbage Collection Schedule and visit www.richmond.ca/recycle or call 604-276-4010.
Recycling is becoming an increasingly more cost-effective approach to waste management as landfill tipping fees are increasing each year.
Average Cost of Household Expenses per Day
Environmental Sustainability
Utility charges to residents also include environmental sustainability services such as ecosystem protection and enhancement, environmental planning and assessent, pesticide management, pollution prevention, and bylaw compliance. The City offers environmental sustainability workshops to the public and supports local outreach and stewardship programs for the community, including the Richmond School District. For more information visit www.richmond.ca/sustainability.
Payment of this year’s Flat Rate Utility Bill is due on April 2, 2013.
Residents qualify for a 10 per cent discount if payment is received on or before the due date. The net amount shown on the bill includes the discount.
How to Pay Your Utility Bill
- At your financial institution (via web/telephone banking or in person).
- Through epost, if you are already registered and approved (see www.epost.ca for more information).
- By mail to City Hall, PO Box 94351, Richmond, BC, V6Y 2A8 (postmarks are not accepted as the date of payment).
- In person at City Hall, Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. (cash, cheque or debit card only). After hours payments may be dropped off at the City Hall drop boxes, located at the east and north side of the City Hall building.
Cheques must be made payable to the “City of Richmond.” Cheques post-dated for the due date on your bill are acceptable. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Please note that credit cards are not accepted at City Hall.
Drop boxes are available only at City Hall.
A monthly instalment prepayment plan is available for tax and annual utilities. For metered utilities billings, there is a quartlery auto debit payment option. If you would like more details about these options, please email the Tax Department at TaxDept@richmond.ca or call the tax line at 604-276-4145.
For more information
If you have any questions, please:
- Contact the Tax Department at 604-276-4145, relating to billing or changes to your account.
- Contact the Operations Yard at 604-270-8721 and ask to speak to the manager of Water Services, Sewer and Drainage Services, or Environmental Programs for questions relating to those areas.
We provide sustainable infrastructure, environmental leadership and service excellence which are essential to the health, safety, mobility and quality of life for our island community.
