Water Meters

Water meters are a fair and equitable way of charging residents and businesses for only the water they use, and help reduce water consumption throughout Richmond. Most residential users have experienced significant savings in costs over the previous flat-rate billing system. The program has also contributed to significant overall reductions in water consumption in Richmond.

Working Towards City-wide Water Metering

All single-family homes in Richmond have been metered since 2018 and the City is working to achieve water meter universality in multi-family residences. More than half of Richmond’s multi-family residential complexes have water meters and the City is working on adding meters to all residential properties as part of a phased-in installation plan. All industrial, commercial and institutional properties are also metered.

The City contacts complexes ahead of their planned meter installation date to begin coordination. The installation costs are fully covered by the City. Complexes interested in transitioning to meters sooner can contact the City at savewater@richmond.ca or 604-276-4179 to learn more about the process and benefits.

Almost all multi-family complexes that have converted to meters have seen immediate reductions in water and sewer costs. Additional benefits include:

• Five-year guarantee: During the first five years after a multi-family complex has a meter installed, it will not need to pay more than the flat rate. If the metered bill exceeds the flat rate during this time, the complex can apply to the City for a credit equal to difference in amount.
• Leak Rebates: If water usage increases because of a leak, those complexes will be eligible to have their bills adjusted after the leak is fixed.
• FREE Water Saving Devices: All participants in the Multi-Family Water Metering Program are eligible to request low-flow adapters for showers, toilets and sinks. These devices can save up to an additional 8% on water and sewer bills.

Since Richmond’s water metering program started in 2003, water use has declined by about 15% even though the City’s population has grown by more than 30%. That represents a more than one-third decrease in per capita water use and a reduction in annual water use of more than 5.7 million cubic metres.

Water Meter Expansion

All single-family homes in Richmond have been metered since the end of 2017. All industrial, commercial and institutional properties are also metered. Most users have experienced significant savings in costs over the previous flat-rate billing system. The program has contributed to significant overall reductions in water consumption in Richmond.

The City is working to achieve water meter universality in multi-family residences. Currently, more than half of Richmond’s multi-family residential complexes have water meters. All remaining unmetered properties are scheduled to be metered over the next 15 years.

Nearly all multi-family residences that have installed meters have experienced reductions in their water costs, with average savings of nearly 50%. Multi-family water meter installations are undertaken by experienced City crews and are completed with minimal service disruptions.