Water billing rate increase - 2023
Ottawa City Council approved a 4.2 percent overall increase for water, wastewater and stormwater rates in the 2023 budget, effective April 1, 2023. This increase allows the Ottawa Water Program to remain fully self-funded and financially stable for its operating and capital needs.
The 2023 water rate insert provides further details and graphics outlining the increase.
Why did rates increase?
Water, wastewater and stormwater services are fully funded through charges on the water bill. The rates charged represent the City’s commitment to provide residents with high-quality drinking water while reducing the risk of flooding and renewing existing infrastructure. The 2023 rate increase reflects the inflationary increase in operating expenses, as well as the costs for new or upgraded water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
The City of Ottawa’s drinking water is among the safest and highest quality in the world. Annual reports on water quality on the annual reports drinking water page.
Rate Increase Timeline
| 2017 | 5.8% |
| 2018 | 5.5% |
| 2019 | 5.5% |
| 2020 | 5% |
| 2021 | 4.8% |
| 2022 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 4.2% |
Water utility rates
Water utility rates - Effective April 1, 2023
Annual Fixed Rates
Residential annual fixed rates are listed below, and will be pro-rated on the water utility bill based on the number of days billed.
Water, Wastewater and Fire Supply
| Meter Size | Water | Wastewater | Fire Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15mm | $131.80 | $116.42 | $51.60 |
For rates for all meter sizes, please refer to the 2023 Adopted Budget.
Urban Stormwater
| Property Type (Residential) | Service | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single & Semi Detached | Connected | $187.42 |
| Townhome & Apartment | Connected | $ 93.71 |
| Single & Semi Detached | Non-Connected | $ 131.19 |
| Townhome & Apartment | Non-Connected | $ 65.60 |
Rural Stormwater
| Property Type (Residential) | Service | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single & Semi Detached | Connected | $187.42 |
| Townhome & Apartment | Connected | $ 93.71 |
| Single & Semi Detached | Non-Connected | $ 93.71 |
| Townhome & Apartment | Non-Connected | $ 46.85 |
For stormwater rates for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) properties, please refer to the 2023 Adopted Budget.
Consumption Rates (Per m³) – All Properties – resets every 30 days
| Tier | Volume | Water | Wastewater | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | up to 6m3 | $0.90 | $0.83 | $1.73 |
| Tier 2 | >6 m3 - 25m3 | $1.79 | $1.66 | $3.45 |
| Tier 3 | >25m3 - 180m3 | $1.97 | $1.83 | $3.80 |
| Tier 4 | >180m3 | $2.20 | $2.06 | $4.26 |
For information regarding these charges and the billing structure, please refer to the Understand your water utility bill page.
What impacts the cost of water services?
Extensive resources are needed to provide water, stormwater and wastewater services to Ottawa residents. The City delivers water and sewer services that consider:
- Public health protection
- Environmental protection
- Provincial legislation, regulations and standards
- Economic development
- Infrastructure renewal and rehabilitation
What your charges pay for
Water production, distribution,collection and treatment 26%
Engineering, planning, and client servicing 17%
Infrastructure renewal 57%
The City maintains drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets, including 10,400 km of water, sanitary, combined and storm sewer pipes, two water purification plants, a sewage treatment plant, six communal well systems, 100 water and wastewater remote facilities and more than 6,000 culverts. The City operates and maintains 316 stormwater facilities and approximately 6,000 km of roadside ditches that collect excess water to protect roads and properties.
Water meter service charges
| Service | Charge |
|---|---|
| City water meter reading device (new or damaged) replacement | $241.00 |
| City water meter reading device and/or water meter reader wire re-location | $190.00 |
| Water meter accuracy test (less than 25mm) | $153.00 |
| Water meter accuracy test (greater than 25mm meter) | $205.00 |
| Additional visits (25mm meter) | $74.00 |
| Additional visits (large meter greater than 25mm) | $121.00 |
| Meter maintenance service call | $192.00 |
Water utility bill fees
| Fee | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| New Account | Charged when setting up a new water account | $79 |
| Change of Ownership / Occupancy | Each time the name on the account changes, it is considered to be a change of ownership / occupancy | $48 |
| Account History / Bill Reprint | An account history / bill reprint | $40 |
| Credit Card / Debit | The secure third-party payment service provider, Paymentus Corporation, charges a service fee for online payments using a credit card or debit banking card | 1.99% |
| Interac Payment | The secure third-party payment service provider, Paymentus Corporation, charges a service fee for online payments using Interac online payments | $0.49 |
| Payment Distribution | If a payment has to be transferred from one account to another, a fee applies. This fee will be waived if it is the first transfer request on the account. Subsequent requests will incur the applicable fee. If you have moved or you have more than one water utility account, you must ensure all your water utility accounts have been individually set up for internet / telephone banking or when making a payment at your financial institution. | $31 |
| Returned PAD Payment | If your payment cannot be processed or is not otherwise honoured by the bank you will be charged for each account the payment was originally applied to | $38 |
| Returned Cheque Payment | If your payment cannot be processed or is not otherwise honoured by the bank you will be charged for each account the payment was originally applied to | $50 |
| Late Payment / Interest | A penalty for late payment is added the day following the due date and daily thereafter until the account is paid. Interest is applied after the due date, every 15 days thereafter and before each bill | 0.0417% daily |
| Reminder Notice | To cover the production, mailing and administrative costs associated with issuing a reminder notice | $8.90 |
| Water Termination Notice | Fees to issue and manually deliver a final notice of water service termination | $48.50 |
| Transfer to Tax | Water accounts left unpaid will be transferred to the corresponding property tax account and will incur an administrative fee | $50 |
| Water Shut-Off and Turn-On | A fee to shut-off or turn-on water service will be charged to the property's water bill. The fee will be charged to the property's water bill for each transaction (shut-off and turn-on) | $106 |
| Water and Sewer Arrears Certificate | Anyone can apply for a Water and Sewer Arrears Certificate, which is a statement of outstanding charges on a water and sewer account | $73 |
| Refund Processing | To cover the cost of refunding credits to customers when credits are not the result of an error by the City | $31 |
| Water Consumption Report | Water consumption monthly, daily and even hourly can be viewed on your water account by logging onto your MyServiceOttawa account. If you require a consumption report, an administrative fee applies | $44 |
| Water Deferral Application | A non-refundable fee is charged to the tax account upon receipt of the initial application. | $154 |
| Water Deferral Renewal Application | A non-refundable fee is charged to the tax account for subsequent year applications. | $54 |