Water and Wastewater

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Home Owner Information Package

For questions and answers about buying and selling your home within the City of Owen Sound, please refer to the
Property Tax and Water Billing Home Owner Information Package.

2018- 2019 Water and Wastewater Rates

Schedule ‘A’ to By-law No. 2018-070

Effective May 1, 2018

2018 – 2019 Water and Wastewater Rates

Water Service Charges

Water Meter Diameter Monthly Service Charge

15mm 5/8 in $ 24.77

18mm 3/4 in $ 30.16

25mm 1 in $ 39.06

38mm 11/2in $ 56.98

50mm 2 in $111.04

75mm 3 in $182.46

100mm 4 in $272.06

150mm 6 in $361.65

200mm 8 in $540.86

Monthly Water Consumption Charges

Block# 1 2

Block Limit per month 110 m Balance

Rate per M3 $1.399 $1.572

Note: 1 cubic meter = 220 gallons

All rates shown are for properties within the boundaries of the City of Owen Sound.
Rates for properties outside the City of Owen Sound boundaries are double the amounts shown above.

The monthly service charge plus applicable wastewater charges will constitute a minimum bill during a month without water consumption.

Wastewater Charges

The wastewater rate is 117% of the customer’s total water charges (water consumption charge plus water service charge).

A printable version of our water and wastewater rates can be found here.

Pre-Authorized Payment

Set up a pre-authorized debit plan to pay your Water Bill conveniently and efficiently. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill. Residents are provided the convenient option to either:

Complete a pre-authorized debit plan online form, or
Complete, sign, and print or email a pre-authorized debit plan pdf along with a void cheque to the Owen Sound Water Billing Department.

Returned payments (NSF etc.) are subject to a $40.00 charge as well as penalty charges.

eBilling Form

Utility ebilling offers a convenient, timely, effective, and environmentally friendly way to receive your bills. These ebills will look the same as your paper copy and your billing cycle will remain the same.

If you would like to enroll, please complete the receive your bills electronically form. You will no longer receive a paper copy of your bill.

Water Conservation Tips

Guide to Detecting Water Leaks

If you have a water leak that goes undetected, your water use will increase leading to higher consumption charges, and ultimately, higher water bills.

To help avoid such instances, we have created a useful water leak detection guide for your reference.

Water Leak Adjustment Form

Customers may seek an adjustment to an unusally high water bill due to an undetected leak that has been fixed.
We will offer a one-time leak adjustment per property, if the criteria is met below:

An adjustment will be considered after all leaks have been repaired and verified with an actual meter reading.
Adjustment shall not be considered for disputed bills that are over six months old.
Payment equivalent to a normal usage bill is required during the review process to keep your account current.
This form must be completed and returned within twenty one (21) days after receiving the unusally high water bill.

For instructions and to fill out the form, please download our Leak Adjustment Form.

Wastewater Treatment Process & Information

The City of Owen Sound Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on the eastern shore in Owen Sound, on 3rd Avenue East, just north of the Bayshore Community Centre.

Wastewater is thoroughly treated to ensure it is safe for the public's health and the environment. For a detailed description of each treatment stage, download our wastewater treatment brochure: The City of Owen Sound's Wastewater Treatment Process.

Understanding your Water Bill

Water billing in the City of Owen Sound is billed every three months. To provide clarity and transparency, we have designed a water bill template offering an explanation of the bill structure: understanding your water bill.

Water Billing Cycle Map

Did you know that the first three digits of your utility account indicate when your water meter will be read?

For example: 007.009221.00

The 007 indicates that your meter will be read on cycle 7. The water meters in this cycle will be read the following months: February, May, August, and November.

Remember that utility bills are sent out every three months! If you are unsure about when your meter will be read or what month your bill will be due, check out our Water Billing Cycle map.

Billing Designate Form

If you are a tenant, you and your landlord must complete and sign a billing designate form. A billing designate form authorizes the City of Owen Sound to activate a water billing account in a tenant's name for the period that they will be residing at a rental property.

A billing designate form must be signed and completed in its entirety before a new water billing account will be opened.
Failure to do so will delay the process of transferring a water account into the tenant(s) name.

You may either mail, email, or drop-off in person the completed form at least 14 business days prior to the move-in date.

How to Pay your Water Bill

The City of Owen Sound has a number of options available to our customers for payment of your water bill:

In person at City Hall during normal business hours. We accept payment by cheque, cash, or debit.

Cheques may be dropped in the afterhours drop box located at the front door of City Hall (Please bring the detachable portion of your bill). We recommend that you place your cheque in a sealed envelope with 'water billing' written upon it. Please do not place cash in the drop box.

At your bank or trust company. Pay at the teller or through an ATM. You are responsible to pay any service charges levied by them (Please take the entire bill with you).

Internet/Telephone banking - most financial institutions offer the "City of Owen Sound" or "Owen Sound City" as one of their payments. Be sure to pick "Water" and not taxes to ensure that your payment is applied to the correct account.

You may mail your cheque (Please include the detachable portion of the bill)
to City Hall:

City of Owen Sound - Water Billing Department
808 2nd Ave E.
Owen Sound, ON. N4K 2H4

Through our Pre-authorized payment (PAD) plan. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill.

Payment must be received at City Hall by the due date to avoid penalty. A late payment charge of 1.5% (18% perannum) is calculated on the amount outstanding and will be added to the water utility account on the 15^th of each month after the due date, and on each 15^th of the month thereafter.

For more information, questions, or comments please contact our Utilities Collection Clerk at 519-376-4440 ex 1243 or waterbilling@owensound.ca

Water Billing Forms

Here are the forms you need to change your address, cancel pre-authorization, change banking information and more.
Forms are fillable and can be emailed to waterbilling@owensound.ca, mailed, or dropped off at City Hall.

Banking Information Change Request Form

If you are currently enrolled into our pre-authorized debit plan and wish to update your banking information,
a Banking information Change Request form must be submitted along with a new voided cheque.

Pre-Authorization Cancellation Request Form

If you would like to end your enrollment in our Pre-authorization plan for water billing, please return the completed
Pre-Authorization Cancellation form to us at least 10 days prior to your next due date. This form may be used for taxes and water.

Mailing Address Change Request Form

Do you own property in Owen Sound, but would like the taxes and water to be mailed to an alternative address?
Please fill out a Mailing Address Change Request form. This form may be used for taxes and water.

Water Billing Name Change Request Form

Would you like to add, remove, or change a name on your water bill? Please fill out and return the completed
Water Billing Name Change Request Form.
Please fill out a billing designate form if you a tenant moving into a new residence in the City of Owen Sound. Do not fill out a water billing name change request form.