Water Bills & Rates

Water Bills

For all ratepayers on the municipal water system, the Town currently issues a water bill every two months.

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the reading for the actual reading bill is reflective of the actual usage. The owner should check their actual reading against the water meter reading. If a discrepancy occurs, the owner is responsible for any increases and will receive an adjustment for any decrease.

2011 Water Rates: Effective March 1,2011

	Meter Size	Water	Wastewater	Total
Usage Charge (per cubic meter)		$1.245	$0.856	$2.101
Monthly Fixed Rate	Up to 19mm	$10.66	$12.60	$23.26
Monthly Fixed Rate	25mm	$21.32	$25.20	$46.52
Monthly Fixed Rate	37mm	$29.85	$35.28	$65.13
Monthly Fixed Rate	50mm	$42.64	$50.40	$93.04
Monthly Fixed Rate	75mm	$106.60	$126.00	$232.60
Changes to Accounts and Set-up Charges				$10.00

*The increase has been applied retroactively to March 1, 2011 and is included in this billing.

Sustainability costs and affordability factors continually plague the Town’s water distribution system.  The Town is committed to the importance of water conservation and this commitment is embedded in the rate structure approved by Town Council whereby approximately 25% of water distribution related costs are charged as a flat fixed monthly cost to ratepayers and 75% is based on the ratepayer’s actual usage.  Fixed costs include the costs to maintain the water distribution system with infrastructure repairs, replacements or renewals.  These costs together with administrative costs are considered in determining the budget requirements.

Meter Equivalency Factors
Meter equivalency factors have been implemented for 2011 to distribute the fixed costs of the infrastructure equally where each meter requires different levels of service from the infrastructure.  These equivalency factors impact the size of the meter installed in the home.  The rates per month are included in the table above for reference.

Typical residential homes have a 19 mm meter installed.  Where the meter size is larger as a result of the owners request the meter equivalency factor will be applied.  Where the meter size is larger as a result of a Town requirement the 19mm rate will be charged.
 

NEW CUSTOMER RELATED SERVICES

INTRODUCING  E-BILLING

The Town of Pelham now offers e-billing services for Utility Bills.  Residents who receive a water/wastewater billing bi-monthly can now help the environment by signing up for e-billing. This service provides residents with an electronic environment to maintain and manage all billings. Bills are available permanently, never needing to be printed saving our planet from wasteful use or resources.  You can help too by signing up today!   Please visit www.pelham.ca and click on the blue “View e-Bills” button located on the right side of the main page.  If you require any assistance with the e-billing service please contact Town Hall directly at (905) 892-2607 ext. 334.

 

INTRODUCING  VOICE CALLING

The Town’s meter replacement program has been completed for all residents.  The radio frequency meters provide critical information that allows the Town to proactively advise residents of potential leaks, zero consumption, and potential back flow events, etc.  In order to communicate this information to our residents the Town has adopted mass voice calling as a method of communication.  This option allows the Town to provide residents this customer service at a very minimal cost whereby traditional mail service would hinder the Town’s ability to perform this service due to the associated excessive costs.  The Town has been prudently obtaining residents contact information to allow for this service to be utilized fully.  The Town is asking residents to go to the Town’s website at www.pelham.ca and select ‘I want to’ drop down menu on the main page and then select update information.  This will allow residents a confidential way of providing the Town with the most current information so that Town staff can continue to communicate this critical information to residents in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.  Together we can make a difference by reducing unnecessary use of resources and saving our planet!  Please feel free to contact the Town with any questions at (905)892-2607 ext 334.

 

LATE CHARGES FOR OVER-DUE BALANCES

Make sure your payment is on time. Your payment must be received by the Town by 4:30pm on the due date. Any payment received by any means (mail, drop box, banking institution, EFT) after the noted time will be accepted as late and penalties will apply.

Penalties at the prevailing rate of interest, currently 1.25% monthly (15% annually) will be added to accounts on the first day of default, and each month thereafter the accounts remains in arrears.  Failure to receive a bill does not excuse the customer from the responsibility for payment of balances and penalty.

 

2011 WATER MANAGEMENT BYLAW: No.3198