Residents encouraged to opt for metered water billing to save on utility costs.
Coquitlam residents can now opt to purchase a residential water meter and transition from an annual flat rate to paying for actual water usage.
The new Voluntary Residential Water Metering Program allows property owners who conserve water to potentially reduce their utility bills. Under this program, the City of Coquitlam will cover half of the installation cost of the water meter, with residents paying the other half, either upfront or over three years.
Properties equipped with a water meter will receive metered bills every four months, rather than an annual flat rate. These bills will include a fixed base charge and total consumption charges. Approximately 65% of single-family properties could see reduced annual water and sewer bills if metered.
The city highlights potential candidates for water meters: those with little outdoor water use, homes with water-efficient systems, and properties not slated for immediate redevelopment.
The city will own and maintain the meters, offering various sizes to accommodate different home types. A payment plan is available, allowing residents to spread their share of installation costs over three years.
Application for the program is currently open, with installations slated for 2026 and metered billing beginning in 2027. This program is also available for duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and strata properties, with specific arrangements detailed for each type.
Coquitlam presently uses 20 million cubic meters of water annually, with residences accounting for 70% of this. Water meters could improve leak detection, reducing overall residential water use by at least 10%.
The program aims to ensure fair charging for services and promote water conservation, aligning with Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan. All new residential developments from 2025 onwards are required to install a water meter.
For further information, residents can contact the city’s Engineering and Public Works team.