It look¡¯s like water meters are heading our way. Over the next five years, the city plans to switch all residents to water meters.
This is important for several reasons:
The only issue that I have right now is with the cost to switch to a meter.
This will be an important issue with low-income residents, luckily the Deputy Mayor is already working on this:
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase said he plans to spearhead a council motion that asks city staff for recommendations on assistance packages for low-income residents that would offset the costs of meters and fixtures such as low-flow toilets.
¡°If you¡¯re at a certain income level and you own your own home, there may be a relief package that you¡¯d be able to access,¡± Chase said. ¡°That will take us over the largest barrier of push-back over water meters.¡±
For everyone else, I am still hopeful that the city will be subsidizing the initial cost to switch.
Currently, I am responsible for finding a plumber to come and install the meter which also includes paying them to perform the work. The people I spoke to at the city estimated the job at $200 - which is a lot of money to pay upfront.
Perhaps the city can work with the various plumbers in the city to ensure the installation costs are consistent - and maybe the installation cost can be included in future bills?
Either way, I do plan on making the switch once I have more information.

