Understanding Utility Rates & Calculations
Learn more about your annual utility rates and how they are calculated.
Annual water & sewer rates
Annual flat rates for single-family dwelling
| Account type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Water | $1082 | $1045 | $1015 | $981 | $951 | $909 | $869 |
| Sewer | $1223 | $1043 | $950 | $874 | $831 | $796 | $693 |
| Total | $2305 | $2088 | $1965 | $1855 | $1782 | $1705 | $1562 |
Annual flat rates for secondary suite
Secondary suite annual utility rates are charged in addition to the single family dwelling rate for water and sewer.
| Account type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Water | $415 | $403 | $392 | $380 | $370 | $356 | $342 |
| Sewer | $666 | $601 | $580 | $580 | $580 | $580 | $580 |
| Total | $1081 | $1004 | $972 | $960 | $950 | $936 | $922 |
Annual flat rates for multi-family residential (strata)
| Account type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Water | $415 | $403 | $392 | $380 | $370 | $356 | $342 |
| Sewer | $420 | $359 | $327 | $301 | $286 | $274 | $238 |
| Total | $835 | $762 | $719 | $681 | $656 | $630 | $580 |
Metered water & sewer rates
Metered utility bills for water and sewer services are mailed every 4 months. This bill includes a fixed charge based on the size of the water meter known as a base charge and a variable component representing actual consumption. Unpaid balances after the due date are subject to a 5% penalty.
Metered utility rates for residential & commercial properties
| Account type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Water | $1.2704 | $1.2239 | $1.1863 | $1.1433 | $1.1065 | $1.0533 | $1.0040 |
| Sewer * | $1.7777 | $1.5520 | $1.4482 | $1.3659 | $1.2989 | $1.2439 | $1.0826 |
* Sewer volume is based on 86% of the total amount of water supplied by the City to the Property.
Water meter base charge
Rate per year
| Size in mm | Size in inches | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| 16 to 19 mm | 3/4" | $75 | $72 | $66 | $66 | $66 | $66 | $66 |
| 25 mm | 1" | $90 | $87 | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 |
| 38 mm | 1.5" | $111 | $111 | $102 | $102 | $102 | $102 | $102 |
| 50 mm | 2" | $147 | $147 | $135 | $135 | $135 | $135 | $135 |
| 75 mm | 3" | $291 | $291 | $267 | $267 | $267 | $267 | $267 |
| 100 mm | 4" | $336 | $336 | $309 | $309 | $309 | $309 | $309 |
| 150 mm | 6" | $639 | $639 | $585 | $585 | $585 | $585 | $585 |
| 200 mm | 8" | $747 | $747 | $684 | $684 | $684 | $684 | $684 |
| 250 mm | 10" | $747 | $747 | $684 | $684 | $684 | $684 | $684 |
*Billing periods are every four months (tri-annually). The water meter base rate is divided equally between the three bills.
How we calculate metered utility charges
Water
To calculate your water charge we take your water consumption in cubic metres and multiply it by the water rate.
consumption x water rate = water charge
Sewer
Metered Sewer charges on your utility account are billed at a percentage of the water measured through the water meter. Actual sewer usage is calculated as being 86% of the volume of water that is consumed by metered water customers.
water consumption x 86 x sewer rate = sewer charge
Meter Base
Your base charge pays for meter readings, administration, routine maintenance and replacement of the meter at the end of its life cycle. This fee varies, depending on the size of the meter.
annual meter base charge / 3 = meter base charge
Annual waste collection rates
Waste collection service charges are from January 1 to December 31 for the calendar year. The amount is based on a flat rate, collected with property taxes, due July 2 each year.
| Type of dwelling | Type of collection | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Single family dwelling | Garbage/recycling/organics | $337 | $333.59 | $315.90 | $307 | $298 | $290 | $287 |
| Secondary suite | Garbage/recycling/organics | $168 | $166.26 | $157.44 | $153 | $149 | $145 | $144 |
| Apartment/townhouse | Garbage/recycling/organics (using City services) | $337 | $333.59 | $315.90 | $307 | $298 | $290 | $287 |
| Apartment/townhouse | Recycling/organics | $46 | $45.64 | $43.22 | $42 | $41 | $40 | $35 |
| Apartment/townhouse | Recycling | $35 |
$34.77
| $32.93 | $32 | $31 | $30 | $25 |
Drainage parcel tax
Drainage parcel tax charges are from January 1 to December 31 for the calendar year. The amount is based on a flat rate, depending on the property type, collected with property taxes, due July 2 each year.
| Class | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Class 1, 8, or 9 drainage | $246 | $242.47 | $235.64 | $229 | $227 | $225 | $223 |
| Class 2, 4, 5, or 6 drainage | $601 | $591.89 | $575.21 | $559 | $509 | $459 | $409 |
Secondary suite charges
Secondary suites are defined as a second dwelling unit, located within the structure of an owner-occupied single-family dwelling.
If there is no secondary suite at your property, call the secondary suite clerk at 604-591-4516 to arrange for an inspection of your home to confirm the secondary suite has been removed. Failure to do so will indicate to us that you have a secondary suite and your property will be assessed the additional utility levy for the current tax year.
All properties paying for secondary suite garbage charge will be permitted to upsize to a 360L garbage cart. Garbage charges will be included on the annual property tax notice.
If you exceed your garbage cart limit, purchase garbage stickers for $5.50 from various City locations.
Learn more secondary suite program information, including fees, regulations and contacts.