Water Billing

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Consumption and usage charges

Water consumption and sanitary sewer usage charges are based on how much water you use. Consumption is measured by the water meter. It is the difference between the reading used for the previous bill and a current reading. Consumption may be estimated if a current reading is not obtained.

Water consumption

The consumption for the current bill is multiplied by the current year's rate for water.

Revenue from the water consumption charge covers:

Operating water supply plants.
Maintaining the water distribution system.
Maintaining and repairing aging facilities.

Sanitary sewer usage charge

The usage for the current bill is multiplied by the current year's rate for sanitary sewer.

Revenue from the sanitary sewer usage charge covers:

Operating water pollution control plants.
Maintaining the sanitary sewer collection system.
Maintaining and repairing aging facilities.

Service charges

Service charges are billed on a flat-rate basis. They recover the fixed costs of providing water and sanitary sewer services. These charges are billed even if no water is used.

Water service charge

This charge is based on the size of the water meter. Most residential homes are serviced by a standard (16 or 19 mm) meter. Fire protection related costs of the water supply system are recovered from the water service charge. Therefore, the water service charge is greater than the sanitary sewer service charge.

This charge recovers the costs of:

Providing fire protection capacity in the water system.
Installing/maintaining/repairing water meters.
Maintaining water service connections, billing and administrative activities.

The water meter registers the amount of water your household uses. It is used to calculate your water bill. We will send you a bill every three months.

You will receive a meter reading card before the bill. Please use this card to call in the reading on the meter. The meter is usually found in the basement of the home.

Sanitary Sewer Service Charge

The sanitary sewer service charge is the same for all customers regardless of the volume of sanitary sewer discharged or the size of the water meter. Like the water service charge, these revenues recover the fixed costs of maintaining the sanitary sewer connection. Revenues recover the costs of:

Maintaining service connections to the customer's property.
Billing and administrative activities.

Meter reading

Prior to sending your bill, we will mail you a meter reading card. We ask that you read the water meter then follow the instructions on the card to provide the reading. We ask you to read the meter three times a year to help keep costs as low as possible. We will read it once a year.

If you do not provide a reading, we will estimate your bill.

Is your bill higher than usual?

Reading the meter regularly can help you find leaks, which can result in high bills. A leaky flapper valve in the toilet is a common problem. Other common sources include:

Faulty outdoor sprinkler systems
Water softeners
Furnace humidifiers

Our leak detection brochure can help you find these problems. Learn more about water efficiency at home.

Water account

Water is not included on your property taxes. You need to have an account.

How do I set up a new water account?

You must contact us at least four business days before you need water. We charge a fee for setting up a new account.

What do I need to know if I am a landlord?

We only set up residential accounts in the owner's name. You can have the bill sent to the tenant, but you have to make sure it is paid. If you want your bill sent to the rental property, please complete the Landlord Tenant Form.

What should I do if I sold my house?

You need to contact us at least four days before you move. We need to arrange a meter reading for your last bill. To do this, we need:

The property address or account number.
The legal closing date.
Your lawyer's name and telephone number.
The purchaser's name.
A forwarding address to send your final bill.

What should I do if I bought a house?

You need to contact us at least four days before you move in. We need to arrange a meter reading to start billing. We will need:

The property address.
The legal closing date.
Your name(s), as they will appear on the title.
Your lawyer's name and telephone number.
A telephone number where we can contact you.

Paying your water bill

There are a number of ways you can pay your water bill.

Pay at your bank

You can pay your water bill through most banks. You need to give your bank your water bill account number.

Be sure to set up payment as many as five days before the date on your bill. We must receive payment by this date or you will pay a late payment charge.

Pre-authorized payment

If you set up pre-authorized payment for your water bill, your bank will automatically take out the amount on the date shown on your bill.

Set up pre-authorized payment

Pay by mail

Do not send cash through the mail. Please mail a cheque made payable to The Regional Municipality of Durham to:

The Regional Municipality of Durham
Utility Finance
605 Rossland Road East
PO Box 720
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 0B1

You must include your bill stub in the same envelope with your cheque. We must receive payment by the date noted on your bill or you will pay a late payment charge. This will apply even if the date noted on the cheque or envelope was before the date on your bill.

We will add a charge to your next water bill if your cheque is refused for any reason by your bank.

Pay by Western Union

Call Western Union, they will charge you a fee.

Pay by drop box

Do not put cash in the drop box. Payments are processed the next business day. Include your bill stub with your cheque. You can pay by cheque at any time at the drop box locations below:

Town of Ajax Municipal Office
65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax

City of Pickering Municipal Office
1 The Esplanade, Pickering
(between the Municipal Office and the library)

Township of Brock Municipal Office
1 Cameron Street East, Cannington
(corner of Cameron and Laidlaw streets, on the southeast side)

Township of Scugog Municipal Office
181 Perry Street, Port Perry
(Corner of Perry and North streets on the southeast side)

Municipality of Clarington Municipal Office
40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville

The Regional Municipality of Durham
605 Rossland Road East, Whitby (south entrance)

City of Oshawa Municipal Office
50 Centre Street South, Oshawa

Township of Uxbridge Municipal Office
51 Toronto Street South, Uxbridge

Pay in person

You can pay your water bill in person with cash, cheque or Interac during regular business hours at:

605 Rossland Road East, Whitby

We are open Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What if I can't afford to pay my bill?

We offer payment arrangements if you have difficulty paying a bill.

We can extend the date on your bill if you are 60 years of age or older.

We may be able to help through Housing Help Durham. You can call them at 905-686-2661.