Get the Facts on Water Metering

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Residential meters are typically installed at the property line, where the water main connects to the property's water line

Water meters will be installed in the Sechelt area starting in 2023. Installing water meters on every water service connection will maximize the benefits of a water meter program.

Once a contract is awarded for the water meter installations in early 2023, updates will be posted to this webpage, including a project schedule. This project is anticipated to take 18 months to complete.


Why a Water Meter Program?
Promotes water efficiency and conservation
Helps with early leak detection
Can offset the costs of treating and distributing water, and expanding our water supply
Offers the opportunity for fair billing


A fully implemented water meter program includes:

  • customer access to water use data
  • a leak notification program that provides guidance for fixing leaks
  • a review of how SCRD customers are billed for water


Water meters will be installed in the Sechelt area starting in 2023. Installing water meters on every water service connection will maximize the benefits of a water meter program.

Once a contract is awarded for the water meter installations in early 2023, updates will be posted to this webpage, including a project schedule. This project is anticipated to take 18 months to complete.


Why a Water Meter Program?
Promotes water efficiency and conservation
Helps with early leak detection
Can offset the costs of treating and distributing water, and expanding our water supply
Offers the opportunity for fair billing


A fully implemented water meter program includes:

  • customer access to water use data
  • a leak notification program that provides guidance for fixing leaks
  • a review of how SCRD customers are billed for water


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Questions will be reviewed and posted with answers.

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    Why do you continue to allow unprecedented development when you are unable to guarantee a consistent supply of water to existing homes. We live in a rain forest with an abundant water supply. The stewardship of water has been wasteful during periods of abundance. But you continue to expand your bureaucracy and costs to justify your wasteful policies. Why have you not addressed the water issue - if you stopped development until you did - I think you would solve the problem. Why have you not stopped development? Why are you promoting density when you cannot provide for what is? I am opposed to the borrowing of money without full participation by the constituents or stakeholders.

    Lou asked over 1 year ago

    Water supply has been a challenge on the coast for many years, before the most recent increase in development. Staff have been seeking the most cost-effective and feasible solutions to meet drinking water demand and currently, we still use more stringent water conservation regulations during the dry summer months. We are making progress. In 2020, the community approved a long-term loan for the Church Road well field, which we are aiming to complete by next year. Gray Creek water treatment upgrades and the development of the Langdale well field are scheduled for completion by 2024. If these projects move forward, it will add much needed water supply to our region. Another well field site and a raw water reservoir are also under investigation.

    Yes, agree that in the past year, we are seeing more growth and development compared to previous years. Staff are currently carrying out baseline research for a Regional Growth Framework, that would work to protect economic, social and environmental values of the region. The SCRD has not placed a moratorium on development at this time.

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    How much leakage is exists in the municipal water distribution system? I know this is difficult to know without universal metering but what is it currently estimated to be? How will universal metering help to detect these leaks and save water as well as tax payer money?

    Jessica N asked almost 2 years ago

    Without water meters on all service connections, the SCRD can only estimate water loss. The current estimate for water loss is based on 2020 data from existing water meters in the SCRD. The trends from this data were extrapolated to include properties without meters. The SCRD estimates 630,000 cubic metres of water is lost to household leaks each year (1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres), plus some additional loss in the distribution system.

    Detecting and fixing leaks keeps water treatment and pumping costs under control, while ensuring water from new supply projects is used efficiently. Near-term savings from water meters allows current water supply projects to meet community needs through 2039 (instead of 2026) and will reduce total water demand in the long term.

    More details on the leak estimates were presented recently to the Water Supply Advisory Committee. You can see the report here.

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    How will this new system detect leaks outside buildings underground and how will you locate their exact location

    5470pebble asked almost 2 years ago

    Repairing water leaks beyond SCRD infrastructure is the responsibility of each property owner. If your water meter indicates a leak, when there is continuous 24/7 flow, the SCRD will notify you and can provide support for fixing your leak.  

    A water meter detects flow from any point past the installation location. Property owners with a potential leak can isolate it inside versus outside a building by comparing flow levels, when water is or is not being used inside.

    A plumber may be able to help find the leak location. The SCRD has also assisted numerous property owners with large water line leaks, using tools to listen and pinpoint the location of escaping water.

Page last updated: 15 Dec 2022, 08:23 PM