Water Frequently Asked Questions
Water rates and billing
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Water and hydro bills are combined on the same bill and issued though Alectra Utilities. Residential water bills are issued every two months and commercial water bills are issued monthly.
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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.
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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.
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Your payment covers the amount of water you used. It also covers the cost of purchasing water and wastewater treatment services from the York Region, as well as operating and maintaining the water and wastewater system.
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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.
Water, wastewater and stormwater rates
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The water, wastewater and stormwater budget determine the rates to supply water, treatment of wastewater, stormwater services and activities and various user fees.
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The rates are reviewed annually and both rate and user fee adjustments are recommended to Council for approval.
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The water, wastewater and stormwater rates and service fees, along with approved by-laws, can be viewed on financial service’s water, wastewater and stormwater.
Questions about water
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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.
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To check for a water leak, follow these steps:
- 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.
- Do not use any water or flush any toilets overnight.
- First thing in the morning, check the number on your water meter.
- If the number has changed, then you have a water leak somewhere inside or outside of your house.
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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.