Water Meter Replacement Project Nears Completion

The City of Owen Sound is pleased to share that Phase 1 of its city-wide water meter replacement project is nearly complete. Installations are expected to wrap up by the end of October 2025. 

This initiative has replaced aging water meters in residential properties with new, advanced models. Most of the previous meters had reached the end of their lifespan, and the upgrade ensures continued reliability and improved accuracy in water usage readings. 

Residents may notice changes in their water bills as the new meters provide more precise measurements of actual water consumption.  

These adjustments are not due to a rate increase but rather reflect the improved accuracy of the new technology. The most recent water rate increase took place on July 1, 2025.  

While residents may see an increase in their water bills due to the more accurate readings from the new meters, this improved precision empowers households to identify waste, detect leaks earlier, and make informed decisions that reduce water consumption—ultimately supporting environmental sustainability and conservation.  

This transparency is essential for responsible water stewardship, as it ensures every household pays only for what they actually use while encouraging conservation practices that protect our water resources. 

We encourage residents to sign up for our e-billing service, where your water bill is sent directly to your email address. With the current labour dispute impacting mail delivery, residents are asked to consider e-billing services as a tool to help stay on track with their bills and access them digitally at any time.  

In addition to better billing transparency, the upgraded meter transmission system: 

• Reduces the time required to read meters 

• Helps residents monitor their water usage more closely 

• Detects potential leaks earlier 

• Supports a future transition to monthly billing, offering more frequent and manageable billing cycles 

In Phase 2 of this project, the City is exploring the use of an online system, Neptune My360 Consumer Portal, where users can view their water consumption securely, in real time. More information regarding Phase 2 will be shared in the coming months.  

The City thanks residents for their cooperation throughout this important infrastructure upgrade and encourages everyone to take advantage of the new tools available to better understand and manage their water use. 

For more information, please contact Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering at 519-376-4440 ext. 1201 or email lwiddifield@owensound.ca  

Quotes: 

“This project is an important investment in Owen Sound’s water system. By upgrading to modern, more accurate meters, we’re not only improving efficiency and reliability, but also giving residents better tools to understand and manage their water use. We appreciate the community’s cooperation as we complete this upgrade and look forward to introducing new features like the online consumer portal in the near future.” 

-Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering 

Quick Facts: 

• Sign up for e-billing at www.owensound.ca/living-here/water-billing-and-utilities  

• Why replace the meters? 
  Most existing meters were at the end of their useful life and could no longer provide reliable readings. 

• What’s new? 
  The new meters use advanced technology to deliver more accurate and timely water usage data. 

• How does this affect my bill? 
  Some residents may see an increase in their water bill that more accurately reflects actual usage—not a change in rates. 

• What are the benefits? 

• Early leak detection 

• Better control over water use 

• Faster meter reading 

• Preparation for monthly billing 

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