Water/Wastewater Billing

• View Your Water/Wastewater Billing Account

  With 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 most recent bill amount. 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 an account to view your billing information. 

• E-billing

  E-billing allows you to get notified by email when your bill is issued.  

  Sign up for e-billing by logging in or creating an online water billing account and following instructions on the homepage. If creating a new online account, you'll need your water account number and the total amount due (as seen on your most recent water bill).

  The Water E-Billing Setup Guide offers step-by-step instructions.

• View Your Daily Water Consumption

  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 13 months.

• Payment Plans

  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. 

  Budget Billing Plan

  With the budget billing plan, equal monthly installments are automatically deducted each month from a bank account you designate.

  Learn more & set up plan

• In person

  Bank Branches

  Payment can 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.

  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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• Mail

  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.

• Online or Telephone via your Bank

  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.

• Online via your Credit Card

  Credit card payments are not accepted directly by the City of Barrie. However, payments for water/wastewater can be made online by credit card using an online bill payment service provider.

  The service provider may charge service fees and there may be restrictions on the types of credit cards accepted. The City of Barrie receives only the billed water/wastewater amount. Payment is processed by the City on the date we receive the funds, which may be a few days after payment is made. Please allow enough time for payments to be received prior to the due date. Refer to the service provider’s website for terms and conditions of their service, charges and payment processing times.

• Residential Water Rates

  Residential bills are issued bi-monthly, based on a 60-day billing period. 

  Bi-Monthly Consumption

  Water consumption is prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Bi-Monthly Usage	Current Water Rate (per m3)
  0–30 m3	$1.3315
  30–60 m3	$2.6632
  60–90 m3	$3.9947
  > 90 m3	$5.3264

  Fixed Charge by Service Size

  Fixed charges are prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Service Size	Current Water Rate
  16–19mm	$33.75
  25mm	$84.37
  38mm	$168.77

• Residential Wastewater Rates

  Residential bills are issued bi-monthly, based on a 60-day billing period. 

  Bi-Monthly Consumption

  Water consumption is prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Bi-Monthly Usage	Current Wastewater Rate (per m3)
  0–30 m3	$2.0349
  30–60 m3	$3.4593
  60–90 m3	$3.4593

  Fixed Charge by Service Size

  Fixed charges are prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Service Size	Current Wastewater Rate
  16–19mm	$48.30
  25mm	$120.77
  38mm	$241.54

• Non-Residential Water Rates

  Non-residential bills are issued monthly, based on a 30-day billing period.

  Monthly Consumption

  Water consumption is prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Monthly Usage	Current Water Rate (per m3)
  0–15 m3	$1.3315
  > 15 m3	$1.9974

  Fixed Charges by Service Size

  Fixed charges are prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Service Size	Current Water Rate
  13–19mm	$16.87
  25–32mm	$42.19
  38mm	$84.39
  50mm	$135.02
  75mm	$295.35
  100mm	$506.34
  150mm	$1,054.86
  200mm	$1,350.21
  250mm	$1,940.94
  300mm	$1,940.94

• Non-Residential Wastewater Rates

  Non-residential bills are issued monthly, based on a 30-day billing period.

  Monthly Consumption

  Water consumption is prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Monthly Usage	Current Wastewater Rate (per m3)
  0–15 m3	$1.9379
  > 15 m3	$2.9072

  Fixed Charges by Service Size

  Fixed charges are prorated to the actual number of billing days. The above figures are included in Schedule N of the ​Fees By-law.

  Service Size	Current Wastewater Rate
  13–19mm	$24.15
  25–32mm	$60.38
  38mm	$120.77
  50mm	$193.24
  75mm	$422.68
  100mm	$724.77
  150mm	$1,509.58
  200mm	$1,932.26
  250mm	$2,777.62
  300mm	$2,777.62

• Water Billing Fees

  The above figures are included in Schedule F of the ​Fees By-law​.

  *Turnaround time is based on receipt of request during regular business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm. Payment must be received by the Service Barrie office prior to the issuance of the certificate.

  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/incident
  Water Certificate (per property) A water certificate is the legal and binding document provided by municipalities that includes account information, and is used in real estate and mortgage transactions. Provided to the indicated recipient within 10 business days of receipt of request.*	$78.00
  Rush Water Certificate (per property) See above description. Provided to the indicated recipient within 1–2 business days of receipt of request.*	$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	$45.00
  Tenant Water Account Creation Fee	$60.00 + HST
  Reactivation Fee PAP Accounts (only for re-join if cancelled)	$20.00

• Properties Using a Septic Tank

  The water only exemption applies to those properties connected to the municipal drinking water system and that use a private wastewater system:

  1. The owner must demonstrate that the property does not have a connection to the municipal wastewater system and;
  2. 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);
  3. 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;
  4. Any exemption status will be terminated when the approval certificate expires or ownership of the property changes;
  5. 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; 
  6. The Owner must, upon availability of a municipal wastewater connection, as per Section 9.3 (a) of the Water & Wastewater Billing By-law, notify the City and the Class 1 - Water Only Exemption will be terminated as of the connection date; and 
  7. The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the Class 1 - water only exemption status, at its discretion.
• Properties Using a Well

  The wastewater only rate exemption applies to those properties connected to the municipal wastewater system and use a private water supply:

  1. The owner must demonstrate that the property does not have a connection to the municipal drinking water system and;
  2. The owner shall submit a completed Class 2 - Wastewater Only Exemption application including a lot and flow diagram;
  3. 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;
  4. The owner will obtain a meter, approved by the Environmental Services Department, to measure water consumption for the calculation of wastewater charges;
  5. The owner shall obtain the required permits and the meter installation must be approved by the Environmental Services Department;
  6. The owner will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the meter and related equipment as required by the Environmental Services Department,
  7. 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;
  8. 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;
  9. 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;
  10. The owner must, upon availability of municipal drinking water connection as per  Section 9.4 (a) of the Water and Wastewater Billing By-law, notify the Finance Department and the Class 2 - Wastewater Only Exemption will be terminated as of the connection date; and
  11. The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the exemption status, at its discretion.
• Select Industrial, Commercial or Institutional Properties

  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:

  1. Multi-residential units using a single water supply will be considered a commercial water user;
  2. The owner or tenant shall submit a completed Class 3 Exemption application including schematic and exemption meter information;
  3. 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;
  4. 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;
  5. 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;
  6. The applicant will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the meter(s) and related equipment, as required by the Environmental Services Department;
  7. 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;
  8. 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;
  9. 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
  10. The City reserves the right to verify the continued validity of the exemption, at its discretion.

Billing for Owners & Tenants

• Owner/Tenant Billing Options

  The City provides two options to owners who wish to have their tenant(s) responsible for water and wastewater costs.

  1. Owner Pays the City

  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.

  2. Tenant Pays the City

  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 to the owner.
  
  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 via ServiceBarrie.ca, 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.
  
  Visit ServiceBarrie.ca to complete an Owner/Tenant Agreement Form.
  
  When the tenant moves out, the account is redirected back into the owner’s name unless a new Owner/Tenant Agreement Form is received to support a new tenancy. Each time the name on the account changes, it is considered to be a new account, and the owner incurs the new account fee. See water billing fees.

• Assigning a Designate for the Owner

  If you have hired a person or a company to manage your rental unit, please submit an authorization to act on behalf of owner form to financeadmin@barrie.

  As per Section 8.17 of the Water and Wastewater Billing By-Law, the owner assumes full responsibility for all charges applied to the account for the provision of water and wastewater services, including charges for service work, in the event that the occupant fails to pay. Under the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 398 (2), all fees charged under this by-law are considered a lien on the property and any water and wastewater arrears can be transferred to the property tax account for collection if they remain unpaid. 

• Tenants in Arrears

  Under the Owner/Tenant Agreement, if the tenant’s account is in arrears, the owner (or designate) will receive copies of the Reminder Notice(s) sent to the tenant. Upon request, the City may turn off the water supply to a property occupied by a tenant whose water/wastewater account is in arrears.

  The Process

  1. The property owner receives copies of the tenant’s Reminder Notices
  2. When the owner receives a copy of the Notice, they have 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.
  3. The request will be reviewed and 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 days to pay the arrears in full or the water will be shut off.
  4. 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 they have made payment arrangements with the tenant 
     • the owner provides the City with a new Owner/Tenant agreement form for a new tenant moving in
  5. 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. A notice will be sent to the owner indicating the amount applied to the property tax account and why.

• As owner/designate, can I complete one request for multiple locations?

  No, you must complete one Request for Consideration of Water Shut Off for each location as the City needs to ensure you are informed of the pending shut off in case the tenant contacts you directly.

• 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.

• How do I stop the scheduled water shut off?

  As an owner or designate, you would need to contact the City by phone (705-726-4242) or email (financeadmin@barrie.ca) to arrange for payment of the arrears.

  As a tenant, you can pay online through your financial institution allowing three business days for your bank to transfer the payment to the City. Alternatively, 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 on site to turn off the water.

• How will the City know 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Why does someone need to be on site when the water is being turned back on?

  The tenant/owner (or designate) must let our operators into the property. The City must ensure the water is flowing properly inside the premises.

• Are account fees charged to the owner or tenant?

  The fee for creating a new tenant account is charged to the owner of the property through their water account. Open account and final closing fees apply to the tenant account. See water billing fees.

• Who pays for the water shut off service?

  For disconnections occurring 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 a "Request from Owner" that proceeds to a disconnection, charges may apply to the owner. If the owner doesn't pay applicable shut off fees, it will be transferred to the property tax roll after 30 days.

• How will the owner/designate know when the account has been paid?

  The owner (or designate) may contact the City by phone (705-726-4242) or email (financeadmin@barrie.ca) to inquire whether payment has been received and if the water is or has been scheduled to be turned back on.