About Your Water Bill

COVID-19 Update: Residents and businesses who are able should pay their water bills on the scheduled due dates to help Richmond Hill continue to provide essential services.

• Richmond Hill will continue to distribute water bills but there will be no penalties for late payments through January 1, 2021 to support individuals struggling financially due to COVID-19. 
• Richmond Hill is maintaining 2019 stormwater, wastewater and water rates until 2021.
• Account holders on the pre-authorized debit program who wish to withdraw from the program should visit the pre-authorized debit program page for more information.
• The City’s NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee of $45 is waived for the remainder of 2020.
• Water meter maintenance involving entering an occupied residence is on hold until further notice. 

All properties in Richmond Hill are billed for water supply, wastewater service and stormwater management. These three charges are included on your water bill. Residential properties receive a bill every three months. Commercial properties are billed every two months.

Charges on your bill

Water usage

Water usage is determined by a meter reading. We subtract your last reading from the current reading to calculate the amount of water usage for the billing cycle. A probe on a remote device is used on older meters to get a reading. Radio frequency technology from a small antenna is used on new meters.

Wastewater

Wastewater charges are based on meter readings of water usage. A litre of wastewater is charged for each litre of water usage measured by the meter for the billing cycle.

Stormwater

We charge a flat rate for stormwater management services. The charge appears as "Stormwater Charge" on your water bill. There is a fixed annual amount and the charge on your bill is based on the total number of days in that billing period.

Costs

Water and wastewater costs are $4.7424 per 1,000 L, effective April 1, 2019. 

Stormwater management costs are $73.95 a year for residential and farmland properties. The cost is $214.83 per year for industrial, commercial, multi-unit and condominium properties.

Costs are reviewed annually through the budget process.

Water Bill Discount Discontinued

The 1.25 per cent water bill discount for on-time payment has been discontinued. For bills issued on or after July 1, 2018, the discount no longer applies.

Removal of the discount allowed Richmond Hill to increase water rates 7.5% as of April 1, 2018, compared to the 9% wholesale water rate increase York Region is charging us. Richmond Hill staff are not permitted to make any exceptions to our discount policy.

Selling a Richmond Hill property

Homeowners who have sold a property in Richmond Hill, that have a water meter, are required to schedule a final water meter read and provide a forwarding address for their final bill. You may schedule this by emailing Revenue or by calling 905-771-8949.

Some lawyers will request this final water meter read on your behalf. Contact your lawyer directly to determine if they have sent the request.

Purchasing a Richmond Hill property with water services

Future homeowners who have purchased a property in Richmond Hill can contact us 5 business days before the closing of the property to ensure a final water meter reading has been scheduled. You can email Revenue or call 905-771-8949 to set up your new water account.

Some lawyers will request a new account to be opened on your behalf. Contact your lawyer directly to determine if they have sent the request.

Owner and tenant information

Property owners who rent to tenants can have the water bill transferred to the tenant's name. Owners need to fill out a Tenant Billing Application. Email Access Richmond Hill to get an application or call 905-771-8949.

The tenant will be charged a new account fee and the bills will be sent directly to them until we are informed that they are moving out. A final notice will be sent to the property owner for unpaid bills. Unpaid bills are ultimately the responsibility of the property owner.

Please note that once the tenant moves out and a final water bill is issued a new account is created and a new account fee is charged.

How to change your mailing address

Richmond Hill sends water bills to the mailing address you've provided. We send water bills to the property address if no mailing address has been provided. Contact Revenue Services if you'd like to change your mailing address.

Ending water services

Call us at 905-771-8949 to let us know if you are planning to demolish a residential or commercial building. We will arrange for a final meter reading and removal of the meter. You need to contact us at least five days in advance.

More information about water services

Learn about:

• How to read your water bill
• Water meter installation and replacement
• How to read your water meter
• Leaks and water usage