WATER METERS
Most homes are equipped with a water meter with a register similar to the following:
 |
|
New Bill Explanation
 |
This section contains the "Water" portion of the bill. MW codes are used internally to classify the types of building. In this example, MW100 stands for "Metered Water - Residential". The water and sewer rates are the same for all classes. |
 |
Meter number, corresponding to the number printed on the antenna of your water meter. |
 |
Details of the readings taken during the billing period. For each reading, we find the date the reading was taken, the number that appeared on the meter at the time of the reading, as well as the date of the previous reading and its corresponding reading. |
 |
Monthly consumptions and total consumption at the bottom. The monthly consumptions are obtained by subtracting the previous reading from the current reading. The total consumption is used to calculate the amount to bill. |
 |
Rate detail. In this example, we find 15 cubic meters multiplied by a rate of 1.764, plus 33.83 cubic meters multiplied by 1.18531. Current rates are listed in the following section. |
|
This section contains the "Sewer" portion of the bill. The MS100 code in this example stands for "Metered Sewer - Residential". |
|
Rate detail. This rate is based on the water consumption. In this example, we find 15 cubic meters multiplied by a rate of 1.836, plus 33.83 cubic meters multiplied by 1.23369. On the bills from previous years, water and sewer were combined. They are now separate. Current rates are listed in the following section. |
|
This section contains the "Garbage (and recycling)" portion of the bill. The GA100 code stands for "Flat Garbage Residential". This rate is a fixed rate per unit, the same as last year's. Since billing is now quartely, the rate printed on the invoice represents 1/4 of the yearly rate. Current rates are listed in the following section. |
2011 Rates
| Consumption | Water | Sewer | Garbage and recycling (residential) | Garbage (non-residential) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 m3 to 15 m3 * | $26.46 | $27.54 | $169.00 / year (per unit) | $130.00 / year (per unit) |
| next 15 m3 to 2000 m3 | $1.185310 / m3 | $1.233690 / m3 | ||
| next 2000 m3 to 5000 m3 | $0.829717 / m3 | $0.863583 / m3 | ||
| next 5000 m3 to 9000 m3 | $0.592655 / m3 | $0.616845 / m3 | ||
| next 9000 m3 and over | $0.414859 / m3 | $0.431792 / m3 | ||
| * The first 15 cubic meters are always charged in full, whether water was consumed or not and this, for each meter. | ||||
Please refer to By-law N° 17-2011 for more details.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I pay my bill?You can make your payment at the following locations:
- Town Hall, 600 Higginson Street, Door B
- National Bank, 203 Main Street East
- Caisse Populaire de Hawkesbury, 480 Main Street East
Why is my consumption higher than other households?
Several factors may influence the consumption of a household:
My consumption seems high. Could my water meter be to defective?- the number of people living in the household and their water consumption habits;
- watering outdoor plants and lawn;
- maintenance of a pool or spa;
- obsolete toilets and appliances; and
- leaky toilets, faucets and plumbing.
All water meters manufactured by Elster are tested extensively before they are shipped. These tests insure that each meter surpasses
the American Water Works Association standards.
My water meter seems to be leaking. Is it broken?
It is possible for a water meter to leak, mostly after freezing, but most of the time it's only condensation.
If the Waterworks Superintendent recommends letting the water run before consumption following the flushing of hydrants, will a credit be issued?
No, a credit will not be issued since the extra water consumption is not considered to be significant and the recommendation would apply
throughout the municipality. The cost for this extra consumption is already factored in the rates.
Information and suggestions for reducing water consumption
Information- Conventional shower heads have a water flow of 15 to 20 litres/minute. New shower heads reduce the flow by half.
- Install low-flow aerators in your faucets and reduce the flow rate dramatically. Most new faucets on the market already have aerators installed.
- Replace your toilet with one that uses a smaller amount of water, 3.4 to 6 litres per flush instead of 13 to 18 litres. You could consume up to 5 times less water.
- You could save 12 litres / minute by not leaving the tap on when brushing your teeth and also by keeping drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running tap water until it becomes cold.
- When washing your car, turn the water off when applying soap or use dry cleaning products for the car and save up to 500 litres of water.
- New dishwashers consume approximately 25 litres per cycle. It is no longer necessary to rince dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. Wait until you have completely filled the dishwasher before using it.
- You can save thousands of litres of water by using a broom to sweep the driveway instead of using a hose.
- Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize losses due to evaporation. Use a barrel to store rainwater which you can use to water your plants. Choose a sprinkler system that meets the needs of the size of your yard and water only when necessary.
| Environment Canada's website provides a wealth of information on the use of water, maintaining water supplies and infrastructure, suggestions for reducing water consumption at home as well as a Water Use Calculator. Visit the section entitled “Wise water use” at www.ec.gc.ca. |
Leak detection
A tap that leaks only one drop per second wastes about 10,000 litres of water per year. A toilet with a significant leak can waste up to 16 cubic meters per month.
To verify whether a leak exists, turn off all taps and examine the low-flow indicator at the centre of the water meter register.
If there is a leak, the triangle will turn even if all taps in the house are turned off. An other way to detect a leak in your toilet is to add a
few drops of food colouring in the tank. If the colour appears in the bowl without having flushed, there is a leak.
Responsibilities of the municipality and owners
All buildings connected to the municipal waterworks system are required to install and use a water meter. The municipality as well as the owner have responsibilities, please consult the following by-laws:Please contact the building department at (613) 632-0106, ext. 2020 for any new installation.
If you notice a fire hydrant, a toilet or a tap in a municipal building leaking, please contact us at (613) 632-0106 ext. 2020.