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.
How is revenue collected for water?
User fees / Utility Bills fund the daily operations and maintenance with remaining funds placed into an operating reserve fund for unexpected expenses and future operations.
Parcel Taxes / Property Tax Notices fund capital expenses for large projects and major repairs, with remaining funds placed into a capital reserve fund for future capital projects.
This project focuses on user fees which come in the form of an SCRD utility bill.
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.
Volumetric Billing
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 huge amounts of water to do so for the same costs as those who are conserving.
Volumetric billing will help those who use less water pay less for their service in relation to those who use more water. Overall, this will increase water efficiency and help keep operating and capital costs lower. 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. High consumption also leads to elevated water conservation stages in the summer, causing hardship which can be mitigated with more efficient water use.
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
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:
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.
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 | Phase 1 |
North Pender and South Pender Water Service Areas | 2026 | Phase 2 |
Regional Water Service Area | 2026 | Phase 1 |
Regional Water Service Area | 2027 | Phase 2 |
How will the volumetric rates be structured?
The SCRD volumetric billing implementation project began in 2023. As of October 2024, rate structure, customer classes, and rates have not been confirmed. In the winter of 2024-2025, the SCRD board will review options and determine the best way to begin implementing volumetric billing.
A rate structure is the system or method that shapes how people pay for the water they use. For example, a flat rate (the current main SCRD rate structure) or a volumetric rate that increases based on the water you use. There are many ways to shape how a volumetric rate is structured, including a blending of flat and variable charges.
A customer class is a way to group different types of water users based on their usage or needs. For example, customer classes may include residential (households), commercial (businesses), and industrial. Each class may have different rates because their water usage patterns are different. This helps water providers manage resources more effectively and set fair prices.
Rates are the actual amount of money that water users pay for their water usage and are determined based on the revenue required to maintain the water system and deliver water to your property.
How will my water bill change?
As of October 2024, the billing frequency has not been confirmed. Recommendations will be reviewed by the Board in conjunction with rate structure, customer class and rates.