Shift to Volumetric Billing

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Since 2013, the Sunshine Coast Regional District has been working to install water meters at all properties within SCRD Water Service Areas. In the next year, the SCRD will complete water meter installations in the Sechelt area, completing the universal water metering project.

The next step following metering is the introduction of a new way of billing for water, known as volumetric billing.

Up until now, SCRD water customers have paid a flat rate for water. The volumetric billing project will introduce a new way of billing for SCRD water customers and will see some charges on your bill based on your water use. This method of billing can help encourage conservation, ensure fair pricing and cover the costs of maintaining the upgrading SCRD water systems.

This is your space to learn more about this multi-year project.

On the right

  • Check out the timeline on the project
  • Read the most common questions asked about the project


Below

Ask questions about the project. Please check out the common questions first as the answer to your question could be there!

See the latest updates on the Volumetric Billing Project.

Since 2013, the Sunshine Coast Regional District has been working to install water meters at all properties within SCRD Water Service Areas. In the next year, the SCRD will complete water meter installations in the Sechelt area, completing the universal water metering project.

The next step following metering is the introduction of a new way of billing for water, known as volumetric billing.

Up until now, SCRD water customers have paid a flat rate for water. The volumetric billing project will introduce a new way of billing for SCRD water customers and will see some charges on your bill based on your water use. This method of billing can help encourage conservation, ensure fair pricing and cover the costs of maintaining the upgrading SCRD water systems.

This is your space to learn more about this multi-year project.

On the right

  • Check out the timeline on the project
  • Read the most common questions asked about the project


Below

Ask questions about the project. Please check out the common questions first as the answer to your question could be there!

See the latest updates on the Volumetric Billing Project.

Ask a Question about Volumetric Billing.

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  • Share Will volumetric billing be on top of the Annual Utility bill? on Facebook Share Will volumetric billing be on top of the Annual Utility bill? on Twitter Share Will volumetric billing be on top of the Annual Utility bill? on Linkedin Email Will volumetric billing be on top of the Annual Utility bill? link

    Will volumetric billing be on top of the Annual Utility bill?

    Barbara Murray asked 19 days ago

    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. 

  • Share When you say a portion of the utility bill will be based on water usage when the volumetric system is implemented, what exactly does this mean? on Facebook Share When you say a portion of the utility bill will be based on water usage when the volumetric system is implemented, what exactly does this mean? on Twitter Share When you say a portion of the utility bill will be based on water usage when the volumetric system is implemented, what exactly does this mean? on Linkedin Email When you say a portion of the utility bill will be based on water usage when the volumetric system is implemented, what exactly does this mean? link

    When you say a portion of the utility bill will be based on water usage when the volumetric system is implemented, what exactly does this mean?

    Nancy asked 20 days ago

    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. 

  • Share How do I apply for volumetric billing on Facebook Share How do I apply for volumetric billing on Twitter Share How do I apply for volumetric billing on Linkedin Email How do I apply for volumetric billing link

    How do I apply for volumetric billing

    Marjan asked 22 days ago

    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 

  • Share How do I know how much I've used this year so I can compare what volumetric cost would be to the flat rate on Facebook Share How do I know how much I've used this year so I can compare what volumetric cost would be to the flat rate on Twitter Share How do I know how much I've used this year so I can compare what volumetric cost would be to the flat rate on Linkedin Email How do I know how much I've used this year so I can compare what volumetric cost would be to the flat rate link

    How do I know how much I've used this year so I can compare what volumetric cost would be to the flat rate

    penne asked about 1 month ago

    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. 

  • Share I have been away for the past three months yet my volumetric bill is over $700. Can you clarify how volumetric billing works please? It would seem that if I am not using water that I shouldn’t be billed over $200 per month. How does this make sense if I’m away? Is it an error? on Facebook Share I have been away for the past three months yet my volumetric bill is over $700. Can you clarify how volumetric billing works please? It would seem that if I am not using water that I shouldn’t be billed over $200 per month. How does this make sense if I’m away? Is it an error? on Twitter Share I have been away for the past three months yet my volumetric bill is over $700. Can you clarify how volumetric billing works please? It would seem that if I am not using water that I shouldn’t be billed over $200 per month. How does this make sense if I’m away? Is it an error? on Linkedin Email I have been away for the past three months yet my volumetric bill is over $700. Can you clarify how volumetric billing works please? It would seem that if I am not using water that I shouldn’t be billed over $200 per month. How does this make sense if I’m away? Is it an error? link

    I have been away for the past three months yet my volumetric bill is over $700. Can you clarify how volumetric billing works please? It would seem that if I am not using water that I shouldn’t be billed over $200 per month. How does this make sense if I’m away? Is it an error?

    Taylor scragg asked about 1 month ago

    Hello, 

    The SCRD currently charges a flat annual rate for most water services in the region, as per Bylaw 422. 

    The SCRD will be transitioning to a volumetric rate structure for North and South Pender Harbour in 2026, and the remainder of the SCRD water service areas in 2027. Once a volumetric rate structure is implemented, a portion of the utility bill will be based on the water used at the property. For more detailed information on your 2025 utility bill, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca 

  • Share I live in a condo. How will this affect my billing. on Facebook Share I live in a condo. How will this affect my billing. on Twitter Share I live in a condo. How will this affect my billing. on Linkedin Email I live in a condo. How will this affect my billing. link

    I live in a condo. How will this affect my billing.

    Marg asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your question. 

    Details of how billing will be provided for residences that are not individually metered will be communicated directly to residents in the Pender Harbour area later this year. If you are in the Regional Water Service, you will hear from the SCRD in late 2026 as volumetric billing will not begin for that service until 2027. If you are unsure as to which water system you are in, you can find out by searching your address here -https://myscrd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1814a1a329904e42af44ec8ee4c6fa67


Page last updated: 13 Jun 2025, 12:29 PM