Water and Sewer

Water rates

Effective February 1, 2022.

Fixed rates

• Residential and multi-residential buildings: $19.23 per meter per month
• Commercial buildings: $32.05 per meter per month

Consumption charges

We base the water consumption charge off of usage during the previous three-month period for residential buildings and one-month period for multi-residential and commercial buildings.

Wastewater rates

Effective February 1, 2022.

Fixed rates

• Residential and multi-residential buildings: $36.47 per meter per month
• Commercial buildings: $45.59 per meter per month

Consumption charges

We base the wastewater consumption charge off of usage during the previous three-month period for residential buildings and one-month period for multi-residential and commercial buildings. The constant consumption rate is $2.57 per m³/month and will not increase with use.

Service fees

The below service fees may apply:

• Backflow preventer – $25 each
• Connection fee – $75 per property
• Residential meter – $530 each
• Commercial or multi-residential meter – as per cost to the Township
• Disconnection or reconnection – $50 per occurrence
• Pressure reducing valve – $97

Background study

The current Water and Wastewater Rate Study forms our utility rates. The study delivers a long-term water and wastewater financial recovery plan to fund:

• Current and future operations
• Growth related capital expansion
• Rehabilitation and eventual replacement of existing systems 

Necessary adjustments to the utility rates are required to cover these costs. Consultants provide an updated study every few years. 

The water meter is typically located in the basement or crawlspace area of your home. Look for the water meter near your hot water heater, water softener or furnace. There are two main style of water meters, an analog water meter or a digital water meter.

For digital water meters, open the flap at the top and record the digital numbers from left to right. This is the water meter reading.

Note: The circle below the meter reading is a leak indicator. If the circle has a plus sign within it, there is constant water movement going through the meter. This may be a small or large amount of water. To find or track your leak, refer to the leak detection section below. 

Any water that passes through the water meter is charged to your utility account. This includes water that is consumed by a leak.

Water meter readings are obtained every three (3) months for residential properties and every month for business and multi-residential properties.

The Township of Springwater now allows you to submit a water meter reading online.

Digital meters have a built in leak detector. If the circle located under the water meter has a plus sign within it, there is a constant flow of water going through the meter. This may be a small or large amount of water.

• If the water meter itself is leaking, call WAMCO, our third party service provider at 647-466-5991.
• If the digits on the water meter are continuously moving, and there are currently no taps on in the home, there is likely a leak. Check the following:
  • Toilet(s)
    • Toilets are a common cause of leaks. Conduct a dye test on your toilet by placing food colouring or dye test tablets (available at home improvement stores) in the tank at the back of your toilet. Do not flush. Wait and observe for 10-15 minutes. If colour seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak.
  • Taps
  • Water feed lines into a washing machine or dishwasher
  • Water softener
  • Hot water tank
  • Sprinkler system
  • Any other appliances or devices that are connected to water
• Internal shut-off valve
  • The internal shut-off valve will have either a ball of gate valve. In the event of an emergency leak, you can shut off the water supply into your home using the internal shut-off valve. This will give you time to repair the leak or call a plumber without losing any more water.
• Call a plumber
  • If you cannot find the cause of the leak or have found it and are unable to fix it yourself, you will need to call a plumber.

• A plumbing leak in toilets and/or fixtures.

• An increase in the number of people living or working in your dwelling.
• A dry, hot summer, resulting in higher water use.
• An increase in the number of days in the billing period.
• Renovations, recent landscaping, or the filling of a swimming pool or a hot tub.
• Consecutive estimated water meter readings followed by an actual water meter reading.
• If your water was estimated and your consumption for previous billing periods was higher than estimated, you may see an increase on your current bill.

If you see a sudden rise in your bill, you may have a leak in your private plumbing system. All water use, including water consumed by leaks, is your responsibility and will be charged to your utility account.

Due to the higher demand on watering systems during warmer months, outdoor watering restrictions are in place from June 1 to September 15 each year. The increased consumption leads to decreased potable water reserves and low water pressure. In extreme cases, it puts the water system at risk and makes it difficult to fight a fire.