Water Frequently Asked Questions

Water rates and billing

Water and hydro bills appear together on the same bill and issued though Alectra Utilities. Residential water bills are issued every two months, and commercial water bills are issued monthly.

Every property has a water meter that tracks water use. Residents are billed for water and  wastewater based on the amount of water used in cubic metres (m3), which is determined by comparing the current meter reading to the previous meter reading.

If you are moving into, out of or within the Alectra Utilities service area, contact Alectra directly to schedule a meter reading. Customers wishing to open or close a residential account can use Alectra's online Opening and/or Closing a Residential Account self-service tool.

It is recommended that landlords either remain as the water account holder or have the tenant add them as a guest on the billing account in order to access the account details. This is important as any overdue water bills may be added to your property tax bill for collection, which will include additional administrative fees.

Your payment covers the amount of water you used. It also covers the cost of purchasing water and wastewater treatment services from York Region, as well as operating and maintaining the water and wastewater system.

One cubic metre equals 1,000 litres of water. A typical bottle of water is 500 milliliter, so one cubic metre equals 2,000 bottles of water.

The wastewater charge is typically higher than the water charge because it includes not only the cost of collecting and conveying used water but also the complex and resource-intensive process of treating it to meet environmental and public health standards before it is safely released or reused. Unlike water consumption, which can be directly measured through a water meter, the amount of wastewater created cannot be separately measured in most residential and commercial settings. Instead, it is usually estimated based on water usage, noting that a significant portion of the water consumed eventually becomes wastewater. This estimated calculation, combined with the higher operational and regulatory costs of wastewater treatment, results in a higher wastewater charge compared to the water charge.

Water, wastewater and stormwater rates

The water, wastewater and stormwater budget determines the rates to supply water, treatment of wastewater, stormwater services and activities and various user fees.

During the City’s annual budget process, the rates are reviewed and both rates and user fee adjustments are recommended to Council for approval.

 

The rates cover the cost of purchasing water and wastewater treatment services from York Region, as well as operating and maintaining the water and wastewater system.

The breakdown of the water and wastewater rates and service fees, along with approved by-laws, can be viewed on financial service’s water and wastewater.

Vaughan's water

Yes. The City of Vaughan is committed to providing safe drinking water and effective wastewater collection for a healthy and sustainable community. We comply with applicable legislation and regulations related to the provision of safe drinking water, such as the Province of Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

To check for a water leak, follow these steps:

  1. At the end of the day, ensure that no water is being used in your house (washing machines, dishwashers, sprinklers or toilets being flushed) and record the number on your water meter.
  2. Do not use any water or flush any toilets overnight. Check the number on your water meter in the morning. If the number has changed, then you may have a water leak inside or outside of your home.

Learn more on the City’s leak prevention webpage.

To check for a toilet leak, follow these steps:

  • Remove the tank lid from the toilet.
  • Drop about five drops of food colouring in the toilet tank. If you do not have food colouring, try using Worcestershire sauce or another very dark liquid.
  • Replace the toilet lid and wait 30 minutes. If coloured water seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. The flapper valve may need to be replaced or realigned.
  • If the bowl is clear, and all the coloured water remains in the tank, you do not have a leak.
  • Repeat these steps with all toilets in the house.

In York Region, about 85 per cent of the water is sourced from Lake Ontario, three per cent from Lake Simcoe and 12 per cent from ground water.

The water treatment process has three stages: screening, filtration and disinfection. York Region uses disinfectants in the water treatment processes to ensure our water is protected from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. To learn more, visit york.ca/water.

The City's water and wastewater reserves are a source of funding for future capital projects related to essential water and wastewater infrastructure repair, rehabilitation and replacement to maintain a high quality level of service.

Additional Resources

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