Shift to Volumetric Billing

Thanks for the question.

The new volumetric rate structure will see cost savings for residents who consistently use low volumes of water compared to the previous rate structure. You can read more about how it was developed in these staff reports:

September 26 2024 Committee of the Whole 

December 12 2024 Committee of the Whole 

May 22 2025 Committee of the Whole 

Water supply concerns are a seasonal concern, and the quarterly billing structure reflects this reality. Billing every three months can help to increase water efficiency by connecting residents with their more recent water use and allowing them to see the impact of their water use habits more directly on their bill, compared to one annual bill. 

Thanks for the question. 

The Base Rate and associated consumption allowance is intended to account for the volume of water a household uses on essential activities such as cooking, bathing, and washing laundry. It was developed using the following as a guide:

1. The American Water Works Association estimates 1 average person uses 270 litres per day on essential activities (those mentioned above).

2. Recent census data from Statistics Canada indicates the average household in Area A – Pender Harbour, contains 1.9 residents. 

This resulted in the consumption allowance volume of 46m3 /quarter (about 500 litres per day). Any water used over that amount will be billed at the volumetric rate, calculated on a quarterly basis. 

In 2024, about 45% of properties in Pender Harbour would not have exceeded the allowance volume in any of the quarters. This initial approach to volumetric billing will mean that most customers see a small savings in their water utility rates compared to how they were billed under the flat rate approach. In the future, there may be adjustments to how the base rate and volumetric rate are applied with the objective of fairer billing, greater water use efficiency and more stable revenue recovery to cover the costs of operating the water system.

Thanks for the question, 

Properties may still use the amount of water they choose to use, however, properties that use high-volume of water can expect to pay more. The new user fee is made up of a Base Charge and a Volumetric Rate.

Base Charge: Is a flat rate that covers a portion of the costs of operating the water system and includes a quarterly Consumption Allowance of 46 cubic meters (m³) of water (about 500 litres per day). There will be one Base Charge per water meter. Base Charge amounts are related to the size of the water meter servicing the property.

Volumetric Rate:  Is a consumption-based charge applied to water use that exceeds the quarterly allowance of 46 cubic meters (m³), that is included in the Base Charge. If you use more than 46 cubic meters of water over a three-month period (approximately 500 litres a day) you’ll pay a charge based on how much water you used over that amount. 

Note that these new user fees will be in place only in North and South Pender Harbour in 2026, with the Regional Water Service shifting in 2027.

Hello, 

The proposed Base Charge and the included water allowance of 46 cubic meters (m3) is cumulative and calculated quarterly (every three months). Water meters are not read every day, so it would be impossible to know exactly what day the water was used. The cumulative amount of 46m3 is 46,000 litres (L) that could work out to an average of 500L per day based on the three-month billing period.

If a properties water use goes over the 46m3 allowance in the three-month billing period, then they will begin being charged the Volumetric Rate. Feel free to review the recently updated Frequently Asked Questions or contact infrastructure@scrd.ca for more information. 

Hi, The new metered user fee is made up of a Base Charge and a Volumetric Rate. 

The Base Charge is a flat rate that will be paid by every property owner that is within an SCRD Water Service Area and connected to an SCRD Water System. The Base Charge will include a Consumption Allowance of 46 cubic meters (m3) of water per quarter (every three months). If you use 46m3 or less, then you will only pay the Base Charge. 46m3 works out to about 500L per day.

Thanks for the question. 

The recommendations made by the SCRD Committee of the Whole on May 22, 2025, are for North and South Pender Water Services and were created and calculated based on those systems operating costs, which are higher than the Regional Water System. The Regional Water System has a separate operating budget and different costs. More information on how volumetric billing will be implemented in the Regional Water Service will come next year (2026). 

For example, current water bills for a property in North Pender Harbour with a 1.5-inch service connection and two dwellings is $1930.06. With the proposed new rate structure (if the property does not go over 46m3 per quarter), they could expect to pay $440 a quarter, or $1760 a year. Exact rates are to be determined in November, when the SCRD Board sets rates for the 2026 year. 

The American Waterworks Association suggests best practices for scaling fees based on meter size. This is because larger meters are more costly for the SCRD to maintain and upkeep, and it also allows the property to access more water than smaller meters, which adds strain to the water system.  

Volumetric Billing is a new rate structure for billing that will replace the existing flat rate method. It is not in-addition to. 

Once implemented, property owners can anticipate receiving a bill every three months, with the bill calculated based on the new rate structure, that takes into account water usage. 

Thanks for the question. 

The SCRD Committee of the Whole has recommended the new water rate structure be made up of both a Base Charge which is a fixed amount everyone pays, and a Volumetric Rate, which is based on how much water you use.

This structure means that everyone pays a Base Charge. Then, if you use more than 46 cubic meters of water over a three-month period (approximately 500 litres a day) you’ll pay a charge based on how much water you used over that amount.

The rate structure is set up this way to: 

• Introduce the new system gradually
• Keep costs predictable for people who use less water
• Help the SCRD recover the costs of providing water services

To learn more, you can read the latest staff report here. 

Hello, thanks for the question. 

The timing of the automatic transition to volumetric billing will depend on what Water Service Area you are located in. North and South Pender Harbour (Garden Bay, Madeira Park) will be volumetrically billed in 2026. The rest of residents serviced by SCRD Water Services are planned to be volumetrically billed in 2027. 

Check out this map to learn what water system you are serviced by. 

If you own a property that has a water meter, you can sign up for a monthly water use update email at www.scrd.ca/water-use 

Hi, 

If you own a property with a water meter in any of the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) Electoral Areas: Egmont / Pender Harbour, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone or West Howe Sound, you can sign up for a monthly water use update. Go to https://www.scrd.ca/water-use/  See what water system you are on here. 

In 2025, North and South Pender residents will receive a “Mock Volumetric Bill” that will give an example of what their bill could have been based on historical water use at the property and the new proposed rate structure. The remainder of residents using SCRD water will receive Mock Volumetric Bills in 2026. The SCRD Board will set the new rate in Fall of 2025.