Shift to Volumetric Billing

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Volumetric Billing has begun in North and South Pender Harbour! Learn more here.

Residents on the Eastbourne, Langdale, Chapman, Egmont, Cove Cay Water Systems can expect mock bills later in 2026.

Since 2013, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has been working to install water meters at all properties within SCRD Water Service Areas.

in 2026, 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 that will result in 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 and upgrading SCRD water systems.

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


On this page you can:

  • Check out the timeline on the project (on the right on desktop, or below if accessing on mobile phone)
  • 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!

Volumetric Billing has begun in North and South Pender Harbour! Learn more here.

Residents on the Eastbourne, Langdale, Chapman, Egmont, Cove Cay Water Systems can expect mock bills later in 2026.

Since 2013, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has been working to install water meters at all properties within SCRD Water Service Areas.

in 2026, 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 that will result in 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 and upgrading SCRD water systems.

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


On this page you can:

  • Check out the timeline on the project (on the right on desktop, or below if accessing on mobile phone)
  • 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!

Ask a Question about Volumetric Billing.

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have a question, ask it below!

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  • Share Is there a standard amour and more incrementally beyond this amount or do we pay for every drop ? on Facebook Share Is there a standard amour and more incrementally beyond this amount or do we pay for every drop ? on Twitter Share Is there a standard amour and more incrementally beyond this amount or do we pay for every drop ? on Linkedin Email Is there a standard amour and more incrementally beyond this amount or do we pay for every drop ? link

    Is there a standard amour and more incrementally beyond this amount or do we pay for every drop ?

    None asked about 1 month ago

    Thanks for the question. The SCRD Committee of the Whole will be discussing the new rate structure for the Regional Water System on the May 28, 2026 meeting. You can read more about how the proposed mock billing rates have been developed, here.

    The new user fee for those in Pender Harbour 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.

  • Share Will volumetric billing reduce the charge for low volume users ? on Facebook Share Will volumetric billing reduce the charge for low volume users ? on Twitter Share Will volumetric billing reduce the charge for low volume users ? on Linkedin Email Will volumetric billing reduce the charge for low volume users ? link

    Will volumetric billing reduce the charge for low volume users ?

    Ronald Bedford asked about 1 month ago

    The SCRD Committee of the Whole will be considering a volumetric rate structure for the Regional Water System on May 28, 2026. You can read the staff report here.

    Note that the above staff report looks to set mock billing rates. Actual rates for 2027 will be set as part of the annual rate review which occurs in November/December of every year. 

    For the Pender Harbour Water Service Areas, the new volumetric rate structure did see cost savings for residents who consistently use low volumes of water compared to the previous flat rate structure.  

  • Share Will qarterly billing happen automatically or do we have to apply for it? on Facebook Share Will qarterly billing happen automatically or do we have to apply for it? on Twitter Share Will qarterly billing happen automatically or do we have to apply for it? on Linkedin Email Will qarterly billing happen automatically or do we have to apply for it? link

    Will qarterly billing happen automatically or do we have to apply for it?

    LNugent asked 9 days ago

    Hello,

    Quarterly billing will start automatically in 2027 for all Regional Water Service customers. More information on the transition will be provided to residents later this summer. 

    Residents in North and South Pender Harbour have already transitioned to quarterly billing. 

  • Share At $4 per cubic metre and a base rate of 46 cubic metres per quarter, that works out to $736 per year for the base rate when our current annual bill in Sechelt is $750. How does that encourage conservation? For people who never use more than 46 cubic meters per quarter, what incentive will there be to save water? You should just charge per cubic meter. on Facebook Share At $4 per cubic metre and a base rate of 46 cubic metres per quarter, that works out to $736 per year for the base rate when our current annual bill in Sechelt is $750. How does that encourage conservation? For people who never use more than 46 cubic meters per quarter, what incentive will there be to save water? You should just charge per cubic meter. on Twitter Share At $4 per cubic metre and a base rate of 46 cubic metres per quarter, that works out to $736 per year for the base rate when our current annual bill in Sechelt is $750. How does that encourage conservation? For people who never use more than 46 cubic meters per quarter, what incentive will there be to save water? You should just charge per cubic meter. on Linkedin Email At $4 per cubic metre and a base rate of 46 cubic metres per quarter, that works out to $736 per year for the base rate when our current annual bill in Sechelt is $750. How does that encourage conservation? For people who never use more than 46 cubic meters per quarter, what incentive will there be to save water? You should just charge per cubic meter. link

    At $4 per cubic metre and a base rate of 46 cubic metres per quarter, that works out to $736 per year for the base rate when our current annual bill in Sechelt is $750. How does that encourage conservation? For people who never use more than 46 cubic meters per quarter, what incentive will there be to save water? You should just charge per cubic meter.

    Robin asked about 1 month ago

    Hello,

    The base rate you are referencing ($4 per cubic meter) is the rate established for the North and South Pender Water Systems, which have different budgets and user fee amounts. The actual rates for the Regional Water Service (Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, Langdale, Egmont, Cove Cay and Eastbourne) have not been set yet. 

    A staff report going forward to the SCRD Committee of the Whole on May 28, 2026 will include more information on potential rates for the Regional Water Service. Actual rates will be set in November of 2026.

    The volumetric billing structure is being designed to: 

    • More fairly distribute costs among users 
    • Encourage water conservation during dry seasons
    • Support the long-term sustainability of local water systems 
  • Share We have one water connection and one water meter on our property. However we have 2 dwellings on our property and we are billed for 2 units. Now that you move to metric billing, we believe the SCRD should install a separate meter for the second dwelling. We believe this should have been done right away back when you decided to double our charges. What is the process to have the second meter installed by SCRD? on Facebook Share We have one water connection and one water meter on our property. However we have 2 dwellings on our property and we are billed for 2 units. Now that you move to metric billing, we believe the SCRD should install a separate meter for the second dwelling. We believe this should have been done right away back when you decided to double our charges. What is the process to have the second meter installed by SCRD? on Twitter Share We have one water connection and one water meter on our property. However we have 2 dwellings on our property and we are billed for 2 units. Now that you move to metric billing, we believe the SCRD should install a separate meter for the second dwelling. We believe this should have been done right away back when you decided to double our charges. What is the process to have the second meter installed by SCRD? on Linkedin Email We have one water connection and one water meter on our property. However we have 2 dwellings on our property and we are billed for 2 units. Now that you move to metric billing, we believe the SCRD should install a separate meter for the second dwelling. We believe this should have been done right away back when you decided to double our charges. What is the process to have the second meter installed by SCRD? link

    We have one water connection and one water meter on our property. However we have 2 dwellings on our property and we are billed for 2 units. Now that you move to metric billing, we believe the SCRD should install a separate meter for the second dwelling. We believe this should have been done right away back when you decided to double our charges. What is the process to have the second meter installed by SCRD?

    Yvonne asked about 1 month ago

    Hello,

    The SCRD requires one water meter per water service connection, and will be sending one utility bill per water meter. Typically, there is only one water service connection per property. Property owners may apply for secondary connections – more information on that can be found by going to www.scrd.ca/water-connection

    The SCRD Committee of the Whole will consider the new rate structure for the Regional Water Service at the May 28, 2026 meeting. 

  • Share Where can we track our current water usage? on Facebook Share Where can we track our current water usage? on Twitter Share Where can we track our current water usage? on Linkedin Email Where can we track our current water usage? link

    Where can we track our current water usage?

    Fran asked about 1 month ago

    Great question! 

    Residents in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, Langdale, Egmont and Cove Cay can access their monthly water use information by signing up for their monthly water use update here: www.scrd.ca/water-use 

    Residents in North and South Pender Harbour can access their monthly water use information through the mySCRD portal. 

  • Share Do I have to pay for wastewater services if I’m on septic? on Facebook Share Do I have to pay for wastewater services if I’m on septic? on Twitter Share Do I have to pay for wastewater services if I’m on septic? on Linkedin Email Do I have to pay for wastewater services if I’m on septic? link

    Do I have to pay for wastewater services if I’m on septic?

    None asked about 1 month ago

    Hello, 

    No. No new or additional services are being added to utility bills through this process. If you only receive water service from the SCRD, then that will be the only amount split up on the quarterly bills next year. 

    If residents are within SCRD curbside and wastewater service areas, then they will see each of those services divided up onto the quarterly bill.

  • Share Can it be implemented sooner? on Facebook Share Can it be implemented sooner? on Twitter Share Can it be implemented sooner? on Linkedin Email Can it be implemented sooner? link

    Can it be implemented sooner?

    Algher asked about 1 month ago

    Thanks for the question. 

    The short answer is, no. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that is still ongoing to make volumetric billing possible in the Regional Water Service, including reviewing both physical water meter infrastructure as well as updates to our billing processes. North and South Pender Harbour have been transitioned to volumetric billing already, and staff will be using learnings from that process for the larger Regional Water Service, for implementation in 2027. 

    Additionally, 2026 annual flat-rate bills for the Regional Water System have already been sent out. 

  • Share In 2027 I will be charged quarterly for 3 months of water, SCRD curbside, and SCRD wastewater services. Regarding SCRD curbside and wastewater service charges being added to my quarterly bill, is that in addition to what I pay in my property taxes? on Facebook Share In 2027 I will be charged quarterly for 3 months of water, SCRD curbside, and SCRD wastewater services. Regarding SCRD curbside and wastewater service charges being added to my quarterly bill, is that in addition to what I pay in my property taxes? on Twitter Share In 2027 I will be charged quarterly for 3 months of water, SCRD curbside, and SCRD wastewater services. Regarding SCRD curbside and wastewater service charges being added to my quarterly bill, is that in addition to what I pay in my property taxes? on Linkedin Email In 2027 I will be charged quarterly for 3 months of water, SCRD curbside, and SCRD wastewater services. Regarding SCRD curbside and wastewater service charges being added to my quarterly bill, is that in addition to what I pay in my property taxes? link

    In 2027 I will be charged quarterly for 3 months of water, SCRD curbside, and SCRD wastewater services. Regarding SCRD curbside and wastewater service charges being added to my quarterly bill, is that in addition to what I pay in my property taxes?

    PBCanuck asked about 1 month ago

    Hi, thanks for the question. 

    In 2027, the annual SCRD utility bills will move to be on a quarterly basis. If you receive water, curbside and wastewater services from the SCRD, you will see them all divided up onto the quarterly bill. No new or additional services are being added to utility bills through this process. The utility bill funds the operation and regular maintenance of the services. 

    Property taxes are administered by the Province and will still be on an annual basis. Property taxes generally fund larger capital projects related to water. SCRD does not collect any revenue for curbside or wastewater through property taxes.

  • Share I have used only a fraction of the base amount of water yet am charged for the full minimum allowable. How can I transfer the unused amounts to the rest of the year, like summer, where usage may be higher? If transfers are not allowed, please explain how this is being advertised as a user pay system and why a full year of usage is not being used as the default? It could very easily be billed quarterly with adjustments made at the end of the year. on Facebook Share I have used only a fraction of the base amount of water yet am charged for the full minimum allowable. How can I transfer the unused amounts to the rest of the year, like summer, where usage may be higher? If transfers are not allowed, please explain how this is being advertised as a user pay system and why a full year of usage is not being used as the default? It could very easily be billed quarterly with adjustments made at the end of the year. on Twitter Share I have used only a fraction of the base amount of water yet am charged for the full minimum allowable. How can I transfer the unused amounts to the rest of the year, like summer, where usage may be higher? If transfers are not allowed, please explain how this is being advertised as a user pay system and why a full year of usage is not being used as the default? It could very easily be billed quarterly with adjustments made at the end of the year. on Linkedin Email I have used only a fraction of the base amount of water yet am charged for the full minimum allowable. How can I transfer the unused amounts to the rest of the year, like summer, where usage may be higher? If transfers are not allowed, please explain how this is being advertised as a user pay system and why a full year of usage is not being used as the default? It could very easily be billed quarterly with adjustments made at the end of the year. link

    I have used only a fraction of the base amount of water yet am charged for the full minimum allowable. How can I transfer the unused amounts to the rest of the year, like summer, where usage may be higher? If transfers are not allowed, please explain how this is being advertised as a user pay system and why a full year of usage is not being used as the default? It could very easily be billed quarterly with adjustments made at the end of the year.

    Waterwoes asked about 2 months ago

    Hi, thanks for the question. 

    The base use allowance of 46 cubic metres of water is per quarter and does not ‘roll over’ to the next quarter. 

    One of the major drivers of volumetric billing is to encourage water conservation during the dry seasons and support the long-term sustainability of local water sources. In the future, residents can anticipate there being adjustments to the ratio of fixed charges versus volumetric charges as community consumption patterns adapt to the new rate structure. 

Page last updated: 06 May 2026, 08:52 AM