Beware of Door-to-Door Sales
The City wants residents to be aware of door-to-door sales scams. Know your consumer rights and learn how to avoid these common scams. Please be aware:
- If a City representative needs to visit a residence or business, an appointment will have been mutually agreed upon in advance
- City employees will be carrying appropriate identification
- City vehicles will be used for service calls
As of March 1, 2018, certain products and services can no longer be offered or sold at your home unless you initiate the transaction (for example, by calling or emailing a business and asking them to come to your home). There are some exceptions if you call for repairs or already have a contract in place. Get the details.
The City wants residents to be aware of door-to-door sales scams. Know your consumer rights and learn how to avoid these common scams. Please be aware:
- If a City representative needs to visit a residence or business, an appointment will have been mutually agreed upon in advance
- City employees will be carrying appropriate identification
- City vehicles will be used for service calls
As of March 1, 2018, certain products and services can no longer be offered or sold at your home unless you initiate the transaction (for example, by calling or emailing a business and asking them to come to your home). There are some exceptions if you call for repairs or already have a contract in place. Get the details.
The City is responsible for water meter readings, billings, and collection services. Water/wastewater billings are issued bi-monthly for residential accounts and monthly for non-residential accounts.
The Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Program provides financial assistance to low-income households in Barrie to help offset water/wastewater bill costs.
Customer Forms
Visit Service Barrie online to easily create and manage your water/wastewater billing account:
Online Billing Services
Bill amounts are determined by the current rates and the consumption of water as registered by the customer's water meter, which is regularly read electronically by the City.
By creating an online water billing account, customers have access to the following:
- payment history
- billing consumption history
- summary of services provided
- account status
- last payment received
- bill(s) viewing
- option to sign up for e-billing
New users are required to create a new user profile and can then log in using their email address and password. All that is required to set up a user profile is a valid email address.
After logging in for the first time you need to click on to the Add Account button on the left hand side. In order to add an account you will need to enter the Water Account # and the Total Amount Due from your most recent water bill. This information will be verified in the system and if entered correctly, the account information will then be available to view through the added buttons on the left-hand menu.
For new accounts that have not yet been issued a water bill, new user profiles can still be created. You will be able to log in to the system, however you will have to wait for your first bill to be issued before you can add account to view your billing information.
Sign up for e-billing by logging in or creating an online water billing account and get notified by e-mail when your bill is due. If creating a new online account, you'll need to add your water account(s) using information from your most recent water bill(s).
Using your City water bill, login to the Water Meter Readings application with your Account Number and Meter Number. This service is available to all City of Barrie water customers. Once you have logged in, you can see your daily usage by week, month, or by custom date range as far back as thirteen (13) months.
Bill Payment Options
The City encourages property owners to enrol in a payment plan for a convenient, worry-free and secure way to pay your water/wastewater bills.
Service Barrie
Payment (cash, cheque or debit) can be made in person at Service Barrie (first floor of City Hall, 70 Collier Street) during regular business hours: 8:30am–4:30pm Monday–Friday (excluding holidays). Credit cards are not accepted as a payment method.
Drop Boxes
Payment can also be made by dropping off a cheque to City Hall drop boxes, located at the front entrance at 70 Collier Street or the entrance at Worsley Street parking lot.
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Bank Branches
Payment can also be made in person at your bank branch. Your account number is on your water bill. Please allow enough time for payments to be received prior to the due date. Payments made via bank may take several business days.
Payment can be made by mailing a cheque, payable to the City of Barrie, to Service Barrie, P.O. Box 400, Barrie, ON, L4M 4T5. Please note your water billing account number on the cheque. Please allow enough time for payments to be received prior to the due date.
Payment can be made online or by telephone with your bank. To pay online, you’ll need to add the City as a payee. Set up the payee using your water account number found on your water bill.
Please allow enough time for payments to be received prior to the due date. Payments made via bank may take several business days.
Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) Plan
Water/wastewater billing PAP plans authorize the City of Barrie to process payments directly from a bank account you designate. Payments are equal to the actual amount due as billed, and are processed on the billing due date.
Learn More & Set up a Water Billing PAP Plan
Budget Billing Plan
With the budget billing plan, equal monthly installments are automatically deducted each month from a bank account you designate.
2023 Rates & Fees
The water rate structure increases the cost of water as water consumption increases, giving everyone a financial incentive to reduce water consumption. Properties using septic tanks or wells, and some commercial properties, may qualify for exemptions.
The 2023 Budget includes 3.7% increase to water rates and a 5% increase to wastewater rates. For a typical Barrie home consuming 180 cubic metres of water annually, the water bill will increase by $13.75 and the wastewater bill will increase by $26.54.
Residential bills are issued bi-monthly, based on a 60-day billing period.
Rates are per cubic metre. Fixed charges & water consumption are prorated to the actual number of billing days. Bi-monthly Usage Current Water Rate Current Wastewater Rate 0–30 m3 $1.1850 $1.7611 30–60 m3 $2.3701 $2.9939 60–90 m3 $3.5550 $2.9939 > 90 m3 $4.7401 N/A Fixed Charge $30.04 $41.80 Non-residential bills are issued monthly, based on a 30-day billing period.
Rates are per cubic metre. Monthly Usage Current Water Rate Current Wastewater Rate 0–15 m3 $1.1850 $1.6772 > 15 m3 $1.7776 $2.5161 Water & Wastewater Fixed Charges
Based on water service sizeFixed charges & water consumption are prorated to the actual number of billing days. Monthly Usage Current Water Rate Current Wastewater Rate 13–19mm $15.02 $20.90 25–32mm $37.54 $52.26 38mm $75.10 $104.53 50mm $120.16 $167.25 75mm $262.84 $365.83 100mm $450.61 $627.28 150mm $938.75 $1,306.51 200mm $1,201.60 $1,672.34 250mm $1,727.32 $2,403.99 300mm $1,727.32 $2,403.99 The above figures are included in Schedule F of the Fees By-law (PDF). Fee Type Current Fee Water Account Fee for ownership or tenancy changes $39.00 + HST Final Water Meter Reading $19.00 + HST New Account Added to Water Billing System (for New Address) $60.00 + HST Dishonoured Payment $47.00 Water Certificate (per property) $78.00 Water Certificate (per property) 24 hour rush response $117.00 Water History Statement
A record of all transactions occurring within a property water account for a specific year.$15.00 Payment Redistribution Fee (after second occurrence) $45.00/payment Administrative Charge - various
For water shutoff, water account arrears and any other municipal charges added to the property tax roll$40.00 Tenant Water Account Creation Fee $60.00 Reactivation Fee PAP Accounts (only for re-join if cancelled) $20.00
Exemptions
There are three types of exemptions listed within the Water and Wastewater Billing By-law, applicable to certain types of properties:
The Water Only Exemption applies to those properties connected to the municipal drinking water system and that use a private wastewater system:
- The owner must demonstrate that the property does not have a connection to the municipal wastewater system and;
- The owner shall submit a completed Class 1 - Water Only Exemption application including a lot and flow diagram, wastewater system approval under Part VIII of the Ontario Building Code or a Use permit under Part VIII of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.0. 1990 or its predecessors (if available);
- An invoice for the application fee as specified in the Fees By-law will be sent to the owner upon receipt of the application. Should the invoice not be paid prior to the issuance of the Approval Certificate, the invoice cost will be added to the tax roll for the property. In the event there is no municipal wastewater system available at the street, the application fee does not apply;
- Any exemption status will be terminated when the approval certificate expires or ownership of the property changes;
- Owners must re-apply for the exemption as outlined in this section prior to the approved certificate expiration in order to continue to be eligible for the exemption;
- The Owner must, upon availability of a municipal wastewater connection, as per Section 9.3 (a) of the Water & Wastewater Billing By-law (PDF), notify the City and the Class 1 - Water Only Exemption will be terminated as of the connection date; and
- The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the Class 1 - water only exemption status, at its discretion.
The Wastewater Only Rate Exemption applies to those properties connected to the municipal wastewater system and use a private water supply:
- The owner must demonstrate that the property does not have a connection to the municipal drinking water system and;
- The owner shall submit a completed Class 2 - Wastewater Only Exemption application including a lot and flow diagram;
- An invoice for the application fee as specified in the Fees By-law will be sent to the owner upon receipt of the application. Should the invoice not be paid prior to the issuance of the Approval Certificate, the invoice cost will be added to the tax roll for the property. In the event there is no municipal drinking water system available at the street, the application fee will not apply;
- The owner will obtain a meter, approved by the Environmental Services Department, to measure water consumption for the calculation of wastewater charges;
- The owner shall obtain the required permits and the meter installation must be approved by the Environmental Services Department;
- The owner will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the meter and related equipment as required by the Environmental Services Department,
- Any exemption status will be terminated when the approval certificate expires, ownership of the property changes or the owner fails to maintain or repair the meter and/or related equipment;
- Owners must re-apply for the exemption as outlined in this section prior to the approved certificate expiration in order to continue to be eligible for the exemption;
- Industrial, commercial and/or institutional properties must comply with the Sewer Use By-law and Backflow Prevention By-law in order to apply or maintain the exemption status. Any non-compliance will result in the denial of the application or termination of the approved exemption;
- The owner must, upon availability of municipal drinking water connection as per Section 9.4 (a) of the Water and Wastewater Billing By-law (PDF), notify the Finance Department and the Class 2 - Wastewater Only Exemption will be terminated as of the connection date; and
- The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the exemption status, at its discretion.
The Class 3 Exemption is available to Industrial, Commercial and/or Institutional water users who redirect a minimum monthly average of 100 m3 of water away from the municipal wastewater system due to evaporative losses in HVAC systems, water consumed in product, and once through cooling water. For the purpose of the By-law:
- Multi-residential units using a single water supply will be considered a commercial water user;
- The owner or tenant shall submit a completed Class 3 Exemption application including schematic and exemption meter information;
- An invoice for the application fee as specified in the Fees By-law will be sent to the applicant upon receipt of the application. Should the invoice not be paid prior to the issuance of the Approval Certificate, the invoice cost will be added to either the water bill or the tax roll for the property;
- The applicant shall obtain all exemption meters and/or other measuring devices, approved by the Environmental Services Department, to measure water consumption for the wastewater charge calculation;
- The applicant shall obtain the required permits and will be responsible for the installation of the meter(s) and related equipment, approved by the Environmental Services Department. Any proposed schematic changes related to the exemption must be pre-approved;
- The applicant will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the meter(s) and related equipment, as required by the Environmental Services Department;
- Any exemption status will be terminated when the approval certificate expires, ownership or tenancy changes, applicant fails to maintain/repair the equipment or if any changes are made to the approved plumbing schematic;
- Applicants must re-apply for the exemption as outlined in this section prior to the Approved Certificate expiration in order to continue to be eligible for this exemption;
- Applicants must comply with the Sewer Use By-law and Backflow Prevention By law in order to apply or maintain the exemption status. Any non-compliance will result in the denial of the application or termination of the approved exemption; and
- The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the exemption, at its discretion.
Billing for Owners & Tenants
The City provides two options to owners who wish to have their tenant(s) responsible for water and wastewater costs. If the tenant’s account is in arrears, the City may turn off the water supply upon request.
The City provides two options to owners who wish to have their tenant(s) responsible for water and wastewater costs:
- Bills remain in the owner’s name, and are sent to the rental property's mailing address or the owner's mailing address. The Owner makes arrangements with the tenant for payment of the account; it is the sole responsibility of the owner to ensure the bill is paid.
- The account can be established in the tenant's name if a completed and signed Owner/Tenant Agreement Form is submitted by the owner. The City will create a new account in the tenant’s name. A new account fee will be charged.
In order to redirect the bill from the owner to the tenant the owner(s) of the property must supply the City with a completed copy of the Owner/Tenant Agreement Form, which includes:
• Name of tenant(s) & contact information
• Name of all owner(s) & contact information
• Signature(s) of owner(s)
• Service address
• Owner’s mailing address
• Telephone number of Owner(s)
• Telephone number of tenant(s)
Providing all data noted above on the required form will facilitate prompt updating of our records, thereby reducing unnecessary costs to the Owner and/or tenants.
When the tenant moves out, the account is redirected back into the Owner’s name unless a new Owner/Tenant Agreement Form is received by the Water Billing Department to support a new tenancy. Each time the name on the account changes, it is considered to be a new account, and incurs the new account fee.
Under the Owner/Tenant Agreement, if the tenant’s account is in arrears, the owner will receive copies of the Reminder Notice that is also sent to the tenant. Upon request, the City may turn off the water supply to a property occupied by a tenant who’s water/wastewater account is in arrears.
The Process
- The property owner receives copies of the tenant’s Reminder Notices
- When the owner receives a copy of the Notice, he/she has the option to submit a Request for Consideration of Water Shut Off to the City in writing that the City consider shutting off the water supply to the premises for the tenant who is in arrears.
- The City will determine if shutting off the water is the next step in the collection process; if so, the City will advise the tenant by letter that they have 15 daysto pay the arrears in full or the water will be shut off.
- If the water is shut off, it will remain off until either:
- the account is paid in full or significant payment is made with additional payment arrangements that have been approved by the City
- the owner provides written approval to turn the water back on because he/she has come to some form of payment arrangements with the tenant
- the owner provides the City with a new Owner/Tenant agreement form for a new tenant moving in
- Once one of the options from #4 has been fulfilled, the water will be turned back on by the City. Note: The City requires a minimum of 48 hours notice to turn the water back on.
For those tenants’ accounts that are not paid despite the water being shut off for more than two weeks, the arrears will be added to the property tax account.
Does this apply to commercial as well as residential properties? Yes, a building occupied by a tenant whose water/wastewater account is in arrears will have the water turned off by the City.
Will the City shut off the water if the premises are occupied by the Owner? At this time this only applies to tenants who are in arrears.
As an Owner (or Designate) how will I know when the tenant is in arrears? You will continue to receive copies of the Reminder Notice letters that the City sends to the tenant.
Can the Owner demand that the City shut off the water? When the owner receives a copy of the Reminder Notice, he/she has the option to submit a Request for Consideration of Water Shut Off to the City; the request will be reviewed and determined if eligible for having the water supply shut off to the premises for the tenant who is in arrears.
If my tenant is in arrears, do I have to shut off the water? Only the City will determine if and when the water will be shut off as a result of the arrears.
Doesn’t the Landlord Tenant Act prohibit a Landlord from withholding a vital service such as water? This Act states that if the supply of a vital service (water, fuel, gas) is cut-off because the tenant failed to pay their own utility bill, the tenant cannot claim that the landlord withheld a vital service. The contract for the supply of water is between the tenant and the City, it is the City who determines when the water will be shut off for nonpayment of the water account.
Who is responsible for notifying the tenant about the water being shut off? The City will notify the tenant by letter that disconnection could occur after 15 days from the notice if payment is not received.
As Owner (or Designate), can I complete one request for consideration form for all shut offs? You must complete one form for each location as the City needs to ensure that you are informed of the pending shut off in case the tenant contacts you directly.
How will the City know that the water is really shut off? The City will monitor the water consumption using the Automated Meter Reading system to ensure the water is shut off or the flow has been substantially decreased.
How do we stop the scheduled water shut off? As an Owner (or Designate) you would need to contact the Finance Department Water Billing Branch by phone or email to arrange for payment of the arrears.
As a tenant, you can pay online through your financial institution allowing 3 business days for your bank to transfer the monies to the City. Or you can pay in person at City Hall with cash, certified cheque, money order or debit card no later than noon of the business day before the scheduled shut off. We do not accept credit card payments or personal cheques, nor will City staff accept payment when they are onsite to turn off the water.
Who pays for this water shut off service? For disconnections that occur due to regular review of delinquent accounts by the City, the tenant will be charged for shutting off the water and turning it back on. For Request from Owners that proceed to a disconnection, charges may apply to the Owner.
When will the water be turned back on? The water will be turned back on when payment of the arrears is received. If full payment cannot be made, a formal Letter of Commitment for payment arrangements for the balance must be completed and adhered to, or when the Owner (or Designate) provides the City with information about a new tenant. The City requires a minimum of 48 hours notice to turn the water back on.
How will I know when the account has been paid? The Owner (or Designate) may contact the City to inquire whether payment has been received and if the water is or has been scheduled to be turned back on. Either of the tenant, Owner (or Designate) must be present when the water is turned back on to ensure the water is flowing properly.
Why do I have to be onsite when the water is being turned back on? The City must ensure that the water is flowing properly inside the premises, that there are no leaks detected or there are no plumbing issues as it relates to the water shut off process.
What if there is damage to the water system? If any damage or leaks occur, the City is not liable or responsible. The Owner is responsible for all repairs.
What if there is a new tenant? The water will be turned back on once the City receives the new Owner/Tenant Agreement Form from the Owner (or Designate). The arrears of the old tenant will be transferred to the property tax roll.
As the Owner, what if I don’t pay the shut off fee? It will be transferred to the property tax roll after 30 days.
If the tenant’s water/wastewater account remains in arrears despite the water supply being shut off, what happens next? The arrears amount will be transferred to the Owner’s property tax account. A notice will be sent to the Owner indicating the amount applied to the property tax account and why.
What if the tenant never pays their arrears? Until the arrears are paid in full, the water will remain off at the property unless the Owner (or Designate) provides the City with authorization to establish a new account for a new tenant at the property or the Owner (or Designate) has notified the City that the two parties have reconciled the arrears.
I have hired someone to look after my property, what do I need to do? If you have hired a person or a company to look after your rental unit, then you should send to Finance an authorization letter providing details of your assigned ‘Designate’: the municipal addresses the Designate is responsible for, any expiry date of this arrangement and the Designate’s complete contact information.