Water Meter Installation Project

Hi, thank you for the question.

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.  

You can find more information on the Shift to Volumetric Billing here: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has authority through Section 335 of the Local Government Act to regulate and establish by bylaw, a term and condition in relation to a Regional District service (in this case, water service).  SCRD Bylaw 422 outlines these conditions:

(in-part)

The General Manager may (whenever they shall deem it advisable) compel the use of water meters by any person using or consuming water supplied by the Regional District….Every owner, tenant, or occupant shall give every facility for the introduction and protection of water pipes and meter placed upon his premises.

In short, the SCRD has the authority to compel water meter installations as a requirement of providing water service, and failure to comply with this requirement could result in the suspension or discontinuation of water service after providing reasonable notice to the property owner.

Water metering supports leak detection and increases water efficiency. As of July 31 2024, this project has found and resolved 3 major leaks, resulting in over 200,000 litres of water saved each day. That’s enough water for about 1000 people (based on use of 200 litres per person, per day). These leaks would have gone unnoticed if it wasn’t for water meters.

Hello, thank you for the question.

The SCRD has already installed water meters at all Class 9 Properties (Commercial Farms) in 2023 and 2024. Phase 3 of Water Meter Installations is the final phase of the universal metering project, which includes installing meters at all properties that use SCRD drinking water, which would include any hobby farms or farms not designated Class 9.

Provision of water to shíshálh Nation members for domestic use dates back to 1945. The SCRD has continued the provision of water for domestic use to shíshálh Nation since incorporating in 1969. As per the original agreement, there has never been a charge for the provision of water for domestic use for shíshálh Nation members. All other forms of use are part of the water service and charged accordingly. Domestic use is defined in The Water Sustainability Act.

Hello, thank you for the question. 

Residential properties currently pay a flat rate for water user fees. The SCRD initiated a review of water rate structures in early 2023. The SCRD Board has since directed staff to develop an implementation plan for volumetric billing (pay-per-use), beginning with North and South Pender Harbour. Read more about it here. Any changes to the rates structure or service charges will need to be first approved by the SCRD Board.

Thank you for the question. The water meter installation process should not impact any existing plumbing that has been installed properly, is in good condition and properly maintained.

Good Morning,

Thank you for your question.  The water meter supply and installation contract was awarded to Neptune Technology Group in early 2023.  Neptune is not a local company, however, their regional office is located in Burnaby and they have hired and trained Sunshine Coast residents as part of their installation crews.

The SCRD has received a $6 million in funding for the final phase of the regional water meter installation program through the Canada Community-Building Fund. Read more here.

There are no installation fees for residential properties as the project will be funded by the Regional Water Service. About one-third will be paid through the annual parcel tax, while the remaining two-thirds will be covered by the Federal grant.

Every SCRD service connection will receive a meter. In most cases, properties will have one service connection and one meter.

Water meters start collecting data once installed. The SCRD currently collects meter data monthly.  Please visit  https://www.scrd.ca/water-use/  to sign up for your Monthly Water Use Updates.

The SCRD currently charges residential properties an annual flat user rate. SCRD is currently reviewing different water rate                           structure options.  There will be a Committee of the Whole meeting tomorrow (September 27th 2023) discussing Rate Structure Criteria.