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1. Why would I want to voluntarily install a meter?

With a meter, properties that conserve water could pay less each year for their water and sewer utility bills, relative to the existing flat rates. In Coquitlam, it is estimated that 65% of single family properties would pay lower annual water and sewer bills if they were metered, with almost 30% of households saving more than 25% on their water and sewer bill each year. 

Residential water metering is common practice for water utilities worldwide. Residential metering improves the alignment between how much water each person uses, and how much they pay for their water and sewer services. Meters also provide a financial incentive for people to conserve water and help protect our drinking water supply. Also, learn more about our water system and read about water conservation tools and tips.

2. How do I apply for a meter?

If you would like to apply for a meter, please fill out the Voluntary Residential Water Meter Application Form.  Alternatively, you can call 604-927-3500 or email Engineering and Public Works. Multi-family properties need their strata to submit a single application on behalf of all owners.

3. How much does it cost to install a water meter?

Water meter installation costs are outlined in Schedule F of Coquitlam’s Fees and Charges Bylaw (PDF). However, to reduce the cost for interested properties and increase accessibility, Coquitlam will cover 50% of the meter installation cost using utility funds. Therefore, applicant costs are included below and on the application form.

Meter Size	Applicant Cost
	Lump Sum	Distributed*
19mm	$1,511	$189.60 / trimester
25mm	$1,678	$209.20 / trimester
38mm	$3,026	$367.91 / trimester
50mm	$3,344	$405.33 / trimester

*distributed over 3 years, with 3 bills per year, for a total of 9 payments Payments will be charged against the property and included on the utility bill. If the property is sold before the payments are complete, the payment responsibility will transfer to the new owner and it is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the new owner. NOTE: Meters >50mm require specific quotes.

4. What size of water meter do I need?

Most single-family homes need a 19mm or 25mm meter.  However, multiplexes or homes with multiple units could require a 38mm or 50mm meter. Higher density multi-family sites require a site-specific meter design and size calculation, which would need to be completed by a qualified professional hired by your strata.

5. Is the City paying for meters to be installed?

Coquitlam will cover 50% of the meter installation cost using the City’s utility funds, with the remainder of the cost covered by homeowners/applicants. To reduce the cost for interested properties the City also offers a 3-year payment plan for the meter and its installation fee. Learn more about utility rates. 

Installing a water meter on an existing property is the owner’s choice. If you prefer not to pay to install a meter, you can continue paying the flat water and sewer rates every year, which are billed each in February (separate from your property taxes).

6. What if I can’t afford to install a water meter?

If you cannot afford to install a water meter, but still want to have one installed, you can choose to have the installation cost added as an additional fee on your metered water and sewer bills over the next three years. A small financing and administrative surcharge is added to cover the additional costs to provide this option for you. The additional fee would be paid with and in addition to your trimester metered water and sewer bills starting in 2027, and the fee is estimated as follows (2025 rates):

• 19mm meter = $189.60 / trimester (equivalent to $47.40/month)
• 25mm meter = $209.20 / trimester (equivalent to $52.30/month)
• 38mm meter = $367.91 / trimester (equivalent to $91.98/month)
• 50mm meter = $405.33 / trimester (equivalent to $101.33/month)

All amounts calculated over a 3-year amortization period, shown as 2025 rates including a small financing and administrative surcharge. Additional fees would apply if each trimester bill is not paid on time.

For the lowest 25% of consumers, while this surcharge is being ‘paid off’, your total of annual water and sewer bills could still be less or similar to the existing flat rates being paid. Whether you would pay less, the same, or more would depend on your actual water consumption.

Once the additional fee is completely paid off, it is estimated that 65% of residential properties would pay less each year for their water and sewer fees.

7. How do I pay for the meter installation?

After you submit the Voluntary Residential Water Meter Application Form, staff will review and connect with you to discuss and confirm the details. Staff will provide you with payment options if your application is approved. 

8. Where would a meter be installed? How many meters are required?

Meters are typically installed at the property line, with one meter per water service. 

A single family home would receive a single meter. If you have a secondary suite, there would still only be one meter installed at the property line, with one bill issued to your property by Coquitlam.

9. What happens if I live in a duplex, triplex, townhouse, or apartment complex?

Some duplexes have two water services (one for each half of the duplex), whereas most duplexes only have a single water service. If your half duplex has a unique water service, you can apply for a water meter and be billed independently from your neighbour. If your duplex has a single water service, both owners need to agree to install a meter, and the metered water and sewer bill would be shared between both owners.

If you live in a triplex, or other form of multi-plex property where the units are individually owned and on a single parcel, there is only a single water service to your property. Therefore, a single meter would be installed at the property line, with only one metered amount read and billed by the City. You would need to share the metered water and sewer bill with the other units on your property.  All owners need to agree in order for a water meter to be installed.

10. What happens if I live in a strata?

If you live in a strata (townhouse, mid-rise, or high-rise), there would only be one meter installed at the property line. A single metered water and sewer bill would be issued to your strata, and your strata would apportion the cost as part of your strata fee. However, this means that you would no longer need to pay Coquitlam directly for your annual flat water and sewer fees.

11. Who installs the meter? Who owns the meter?

The water meters would be installed by the City of Coquitlam. Coquitlam would also own and be responsible for repair and maintenance of the meter once it is installed. In the future, once the meter reaches the end of life, Coquitlam would replace the meter at a cost to the City (not the property owner). Meters are designed to last for 20 years.

12. When would a meter be installed and when would metered billing start?

Meters will be installed starting 2026, with metered billing starting in 2027. Flat water and sewer rates will still be required for residential properties in 2026.

13. How does metered water and sewer billing work?

Properties with a water meter would no longer be billed the annual flat rate water and sewer charge in February. Metered water and sewer bills are sent every 4 months, and like other utility bills, include a fixed base charge as well as a volumetric charge based on total consumption. 

Coquitlam also has a seasonal water rate charging a higher amount for water used between May – September (as an incentive during the dry summer months when less water is available), and a lower amount for water used from October – April (wetter months when more water is available as the reservoirs fill). Additional details are available on coquitlam.ca/MeteredUtility

Similar to other metered municipalities, residential sewer use is determined to be equivalent to the volume of water used.  

Metered single-family properties with secondary suites would no longer need to pay the 40% additional amount on the flat water and sewer rates, as they would now be billed according to actual consumption. Actual consumption would include the main house and the suite.

Strata properties would receive a single bill for the water and sewer use of the entire strata, and the strata would apportion the costs to individual units through the strata fee.

14. If I have a meter, do I still need to comply with the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw?

Whether you pay metered or flat rates, all properties need to comply with the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw (PDF) and region-wide water restrictions May 1 to October 15 each year, which includes one day per week lawn watering during Stage 1 Restrictions (May 1 – Oct 15). Properties that are not compliant are subject to fines as outlined within the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF).

15. If I install a meter, can I remove it later and change back to flat rates?

Once installed, the water meter cannot be removed and the property cannot revert back to the annual flat rate water and sewer bill. Meters are also not to be tampered with after installation.  Learn about tools and tips on how to save water.

16. What happens if I have a leak?

Leaks on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to repair. However, if the leak is confirmed to be between the property line and the water main—on the municipally-owned portion of the water service—Coquitlam will complete the leak repair.

17. Who can I talk to if I have questions?

Please email Engineering and Public Works or call 604-927-3500.