New Coquitlam program lets residents pay for actual water use

Coquitlam residents can now opt to install a residential water meter and pay for the water they actually use, instead of the annual flat rate for water and sewer services, according to a news release by the City.

City Council approved the Voluntary Residential Water Metering Program on September 29, 2025, introducing a new billing choice for homeowners. The program aims to help residents save money, improve leak detection, and encourage water conservation across the community.

According to the City of Coquitlam, about 65 per cent of single-family properties would pay less each year under metered billing, with roughly 30 per cent of households saving more than 25 per cent on their annual water and sewer bills. “This program gives residents more choice in how they pay for their water and supports our long-term sustainability goals,” the City said in a statement.

Installing a water meter is voluntary. Residents who choose not to participate will continue paying the flat annual rate, billed in February each year. For those who opt in, the City will cover 50 per cent of installation costs. Homeowners can pay their share upfront, or over three years through their metered utility bills starting in 2027.

Once installed, the City will own and maintain the meters, including repairs and replacements. Most single-family homes will require a 19-millimetre meter, which costs homeowners about $1,511, while larger properties may require bigger meters at higher prices.

Metered customers will be billed every four months rather than annually. Each bill will include a fixed base charge and consumption-based fees. It’s estimated that leak detection through metering could reduce household water use by 10 to 15 per cent, or roughly 20 to 30 litres per person per day.

The program is open to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and multi-family stratas. For multi-family properties, the strata must apply on behalf of all owners, and the City will bill the strata every four months for distribution among residents.

Almost 50 per cent of single-family properties in Coquitlam have very little or no outdoor water use. Water metering, the City says, promotes fairness by aligning water bills with actual consumption.

Applications for installation in 2026 are now open at coquitlam.ca/ResidentialMeter, with metered billing beginning in 2027.