Voluntary Residential Water Meter Program

Background

On September 29, 2025, Coquitlam approved a voluntary residential water-metering program, which provides a new water and sewer utility billing choice for residential property owners. Water metering can not only help residents save money on their annual utility bills, but can also help the City detect water leaks better and support water conservation.

Installing a water meter on an existing property is the owner’s choice. Residents who do not want a water meter will continue paying a flat water and sewer rate, billed annually in February. 

For residents who opt for a meter, the installation cost will be shared 50/50 with the City, and starting in 2027 these homes will be billed for water and sewer according to actual water consumption. Application details are below. 

Voluntary residential metering is available to all residential property owners (single-family and multi-family). Multi-family properties would need their strata to submit a single application on behalf of all owners.

Are you Interested in Getting a Water Meter Installed on Your Property?

Having your own water meter offers you the opportunity to pay for the cost of the water you use. It is estimated that 65% of single-family properties would pay lower annual water and sewer bills if they were metered, with almost 30% of households saving more than 25% on their water and sewer bill each year.

Residential metering improves the alignment between how much water each person uses and how much they pay for their water and sewer services.

How Do I know if I am the Ideal Candidate Who Will Benefit from Getting a Water Meter?

You might be a good candidate for a water meter if …

• You have little to no outdoor water use.
• You have already taken steps to minimize your indoor water use including  energy efficient appliances and low flow toilets. 
  • You can apply for a low-flow toilet replacement rebate here.
• You already follow Coquitlam’s tips and tools to save water.
• Your property is not slated for redevelopment in the immediate future.
• You are looking for ways to save on the annual cost to maintain your home.

To speak to our team about whether your home is a good candidate for water meters, contact our Engineering and Public Works team at epw@coquitlam.ca or 604-927-3500. 

Cost and Financing Options 

Coquitlam is covering 50% of the cost, and property owners can pay their 50% portion of the cost as a lump sum. Alternatively, the City is also offering financing, property owners can pay their share of the cost as an additional fee on metered water and sewer bills over the next three years starting in 2027.

Once the additional fee is completely paid off, it is estimated that 65% of residential properties would pay less each year for their water and sewer fees.

Once the meters are installed, the City of Coquitlam will own them and be responsible for their repair, maintenance and end-of-life replacement.

Water Meter Details

Most residential homes will require a 19mm meter, but some larger homes or properties will require larger meters. To increase accessibility, the City offers a payment plan for the meter and its installation fee. Property owners can choose to have their portion of the costs added to their metered water and sewer bill, prorated over three years. 

The 50% homeowner cost for installation of the various size meters, either lump sum or by installments, are listed below:

• 19mm meter - $1,511
  • Installments: $189.60 (equivalent to $47.40/month)
• 25mm meter - $1,677.50 
  • Installments: $209.20 (equivalent to $52.30/month)
• 38mm meter -$3,026 
  • Installments: $367.91 (equivalent to $91.98/month)
• 50mm meter - $3,344 
  • Installments: $405.33 (equivalent to $101.33/month)19mm meter

These amounts are calculated over a 3-year amortization period, and shown as 2025 rates including a small financing and administrative surcharge.

Plexes, Stratas and Multi-family Dwellings

There are also opportunities for duplexes, triplexes, townhouses and stratas to participate in the program as well.

• If each half duplex has a unique water service, each property owner can apply for a water meter and be billed independently from their neighbour. 
• If a duplex has a single water service, both owners need to agree to install a meter. The metered water and sewer bill would be shared between owners. 
• In a multiplex property where the units are individually-owned and on a single parcel, all owners would need to agree for a water meter to be installed. Each owner would cost-share the metered water and sewer bill.
• In a larger, multi-family strata, the strata would need to submit the application and the City would cover 50% of the installation cost. Once metered, multi-family strata owners would no longer pay the annual flat water and sewer rates directly to the City. Instead, future trimester water and sewer bills would be sent to the strata for payment to the City by the strata, and the strata would apportion the cost to each owner.

Apply Here

Applications are open now for installation in 2026 with metered billing starting in 2027.

• Voluntary Residential Water Meter Application Form