Common Questions about Volumetric Billing
General Questions
Regional Water Service which includes the Chapman, Langdale, Egmont, Cove Cay, Eastbourne, Granthams, Soames Water Systems.
North Pender Harbour Water Service includes the North Pender Harbour Water System.
South Pender Harbour Water Service includes South Pender Harbour Water System.
1,000 litres of water will cost the user $4.00
100 litres of water will cost the user $0.40
10 litres of water will cost the user $0.04
1 litre of water will cost the user $0.004, or less than half a penny a litre of water
What is a water service area?
The SCRD has three water service areas to provide water service to residents:
Think of each water service area as its own business unit, where user fees collected in each water service area directly fund only that specific service.
For example, water service fees collected in South Pender Harbour only fund the South Pender Harbour water service.
User fees are different depending on the water service area you are a part of. The map below shows all water service areas.
What is volumetric billing?
Volumetric billing uses water consumption data to determine user fees, rather than a flat rate. By billing this way, a portion of the user fee is directly related to the amount of water a property uses.
Why is the SCRD transitioning to volumetric billing?
Drinking water is a precious resource, and the SCRD is committed to providing a safe and reliable supply. Water user fees contribute directly to the delivery of water to both you and your community.
The current billing system, where most users pay flat rates, allows a minority of residents who use excessive amounts of water to do so for the same costs as those who are conserving. For example, under the current billing system, a resident using 5,000 litres of water per day pays the same as a resident using 500 litres per day.
Volumetric billing will help those who use less water pay less for their service and overall, will increase water efficiency.
When people use a lot of water, it can raise costs because it requires more supply and new projects, and can wear out operating infrastructure faster. In the summer, high consumption also leads to elevated water conservation stages.
What factors impact the cost of water?
The operating costs for water systems are completely covered by the users of the system (through their utility bills). The cost to treat and distribute drinking water is impacted by many factors including: pricing for materials, upgraded treatment infrastructure, increased qualified operator costs and environmental regulations are a few examples that have impacted rate increases each year.
So, while the operating costs for water systems have not decreased, the way the costs are distributed through the volumetric rates will be more equitable.
With the current proposed Volumetric Rates of $4.00/m3 for North and South Pender, based on the costs to run those systems, that means:
Does this billing method apply to both residential and commercial users?
Yes. All users within SCRD Water Service Areas will be transitioned to volumetric billing. Over time, adjustments to the rate structure may impact different customer classes differently. Any changes would be determined and directed by the SCRD Board.
I own a vacation home and am only here a few months of the year, does this apply to me?
Yes, the Base Charge still applies, even if you are only using your property part-time. The Base Charge covers a portion of the costs of maintaining and operating the water system, including water treatment, infrastructure, repairs, administration, communications, conservation and rebate programs. The Base Charge ensures the readiness to serve every property at any time. The water system doesn’t take vacations!
In a water system, costs are shared amongst all connected properties to ensure the system remains reliable and sustainable for everyone, including part-time residents who expect water service to be available whenever they choose to use their home.
Volumetric Billing
When does volumetric billing start?
When does volumetric billing start?
The timing of the transition to volumetric billing will depend on what Water Service Area you are located in. Both will follow a two-phase approach:
Mock Billing (Phase 1): In the year before the rate structure changes, mock volumetric bills will be mailed out. These "mock bills" will be for educational purposes only. They will give registered property owners the opportunity to see how they would be billed if they were paying volumetric rates.
Real Billing (Phase 2): The shift to volumetric billing will occur, and properties will be billed at the new volumetric rate. Annual reviews of rates will continue.
See projected schedule below:
Water Service | Year | Approach |
North Pender and South Pender Water Service Areas | 2025 | Mock billing |
North Pender and South Pender Water Service Areas | 2026 | Real billing |
Regional Water Service Area | 2026 | Mock billing |
Regional Water Service Area | 2027 | Real billing |
When will my water bill change?
The new rate structure introduces quarterly billing. This means you will receive a bill every three months. Property owners in North and South Pender will notice a new look to their bill starting in April 2026. If you do not know what service you are in, please enter your address on the map linked here.
The SCRD is updating utility bills and mySCRD payment portal to include information on water use.
In 2026 Pender Harbour residents will continue to receive your bill for all SCRD charges the same way you get it now, either by email or mail. The difference will be how frequently you receive your bill. You will be billed quarterly, or every three months.
How will my water use be measured?
Water meters have been or will be installed on all water service connections within SCRD Water Service Areas. These meters are or will be read monthly to obtain the volume of water consumed.
Interested in your monthly water use? Sign up for a Monthly Water Use Update here: www.scrd.ca/water-use
How will the volumetric user fees be structured?
The SCRD volumetric billing implementation project began in 2023. In June 2025, the Board directed staff in the way the rate will be structured to begin implementing volumetric billing.
The rate structure chosen by the SCRD Board is made up of many parts. To summarize, residents will now see a Base Charge and Volumetric Rate Charge on their utility bills. For more information and the full breakdown of the rate structure, read the staff report here.
What are Base Charges and the Volumetric Rate?
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 46m3 of water (about 500L per day). There will be one Base Charge per water meter. Base Charges amounts are related to the size of the water meter servicing your 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.
Will there be a minimum charge under the new rate structure?
Yes. The Base Charge is a flat rate that is paid by every property owner that is within an SCRD Water Service Area and connected to an SCRD Water System. The Base Charge includes a Consumption Allowance of 46 cubic meters (m3) of water per quarter (approximately 500L per day). If you use 46m3 or less, then you will only pay the Base Charge.
How can I conserve water to lower my bill?
The first step is to increase your water literacy, which you can do by learning how much water you use in a month. If you have a meter at your property, go to SCRD.ca/water-use to sign up.
Experimenting with behaviour changes, like how you water your garden, do laundry or even flush the toilet can make big differences in your monthly use. Remember, use can double in the summer due to irrigation. Go to SCRD.ca/water to learn some water saving tips.
Fixing leaking appliances, water service lines and irrigation systems can also drastically reduce water use. To learn more visit www.SCRD.ca/fix-leaks
What happens if I have a big leak with volumetric billing?
Plans on how the SCRD will work with properties that experience large leaks are still in progress. Further information will be brought forward to the SCRD Board in fall 2025.
My property is already charged a metered rate; how will my bill change?
All properties, regardless of how they have been billed in the past, will be transitioned to the new volumetric rate structure.
How often are meters read and bills issued?
All water meters will be read monthly. Property owners will now receive bills on a quarterly basis, every three months.
How accurate are water meters used for volumetric billing?
The SCRD uses water meters that are calibrated and factory tested prior to installation. The water meters are designed to meet American Water Works Association accuracy standards. You can read the specifications about the most common model of meter (T-10 meter) here.
T-10 meters, which use a nutating disk, are NOT capable of ‘speeding up’ or registering a significantly higher reading than actual. High volume readings are often related to an unknown leak, or an underestimated use like irrigation systems and chillers.
In rare circumstances, there may be electronic issues with a meters antenna, or a digital register can become damaged. In these cases, meters transmit error codes, read zero consumption, or fail to broadcast all together. Frozen pipes, damaged or incorrectly installed meters, while also very rare can occur.
If you have an evidenced reason to believe your water meter is faulty, please promptly contact SCRD Infrastructure Department for assistance at infrastructure@scrd.ca or 604-885-6806