What your bill covers
Your water bill pays for three main services that keep our city running safely. The water utility is self-funded, which means it does not take money from your property taxes. Every charge goes straight back into maintaining pipes, plants, pumps, and treatment systems.
How to read your bill
Open your bill and look for these sections:
- Account details: Shows your name, service address, and account number.
- Billing period: Water bills come every two months. The number of days billed can vary between 56 and 62 days.
- Meter number: Matches the sticker on your physical meter.
- Previous and present reading: Shows your water usage in cubic metres (m³). One m³ equals 1,000 litres.
- Read type: Notes whether the meter reader visited your property or calculated the number based on past usage.
- Charges: Breaks down the fixed and usage-based costs.
Understanding the charges
Your bill is made up of variable charges based on how much water you use, plus fixed service charges that keep the system running.
| Charge | What it pays for |
|---|---|
| Water Treatment and Supply | Taking water from Ambrel Lake and the Tamsin River, treating it to safe drinking standards, and pumping it through over 480 kilometres of pipes to your tap. |
| Wastewater Collection and Treatment | Collecting water from your sinks, toilets, and showers, treating it at the Wrenford Water Pollution Control Plant, and safely returning clean water to the Tamsin River. |
| Stormwater Management | Managing rain and snowmelt through street drains and catch basins to prevent flooding and protect river health. |
| Meter Service Charge | A fixed cost to read your meter, process your bill, and maintain the meter hardware. |
Why is my bill higher than usual?
A sudden jump in your bill usually points to an undetected leak, like a running toilet or a dripping irrigation line. Follow this quick checklist:
- Check your indoor and outdoor taps for drips.
- Look at your meter. If the small triangle or wheel is turning when no water is running inside, you have a leak.
- Check your water heater and washing machine hoses.
- Review your outdoor hose bibs and sprinkler heads.
If you cannot find the leak, or if your bill is three times higher than your usual average for that season, contact us. Our Water Operations team can run a diagnostic check on your service line.
What does "estimated" mean?
When the Read Type says "estimated", it means our meter reader could not access your meter due to a locked gate, snow cover, or a dog in the yard. We calculate the number based on your past usage. When the reader finally gets a clear view, we will update your bill with the actual numbers. You may see a small adjustment to cover the difference.
How to pay your bill
We make it easy to pay. You can pay online through the Service Wrenford portal, by mail, or in person at Wrenford City Hall.
Pre-authorized payment: We recommend setting up pre-authorized billing. You can choose to pay the full amount every two months, or break it into monthly instalments. Pre-authorized accounts automatically adjust if your bill amount changes.
Need help?
For billing questions, leak assistance, or meter readings, contact the Revenue and Water Billing team.
Phone: 519-555-0100
Email: [email protected]