Water Meter Readings and Billing

The City is attempting to read water meter readings for residential and business accounts that have remote devices, and for businesses. However, to avoid an estimate you may want to submit a reading. Residents and businesses without an outside remote will need to submit their water meter readings.

• Readings can be submitted by calling (807) 625-3160 (24 hr. service) between the 1^st and 21^st   
• Final readings due to a sale of a property should be called in to the Revenue office at (807) 625-2255 or by emailing taxandwater@thunderbay.ca
• If meter readings are not submitted, water usage for the billing period will be estimated.

Estimates may be higher than actual if you are a Business that is not operating; therefore, please submit your water meter readings.

• General information on water meter reading and billing can be found in Thunder Bay's Guide to Water
• General information about Your Sewer Connection
• Household Sewer Management
• Update your address with a Change of Address Request

Please call our office at (807) 625-2255 to provide:

• the moving or closing date,

• the previous owner's forwarding address, and

• the new owner's name and billing information.

The previous and new owner must call our office to provide a final reading to ensure the final bill is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Water charges remain with the property, and any unpaid balance after the due date of the final bill becomes the new owner’s responsibility.

Please ensure you change your banking information when you move, as the water account number remains with the property address.

See our guide to selling or purchasing your home for more information.

Leaks

Leaking Toilets - Here are two easy tests to tell if your toilet is leaking. A leaking toilet can waste 100s of cubic metres a month and is the #1 cause of high water bills.

• Remove your toilet tank lid. Put a few drops of food colouring into the toilet tank and wait 30 minutes. Look in the toilet bowl, if the water changes colour, you have a leak.

• Look inside the tank. If the water is flowing into the overflow tube once the tank is full, you have a leak.

Leaking Faucets - Unlike a leaky toilet, a leaky faucet is easy to notice because of the sound of dripping water. Take a walk through your home to check for leaking faucets. A leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drip per second can waste more than 14 cubic metres per year.

Monitor your water use

Easy test to detect hidden leaks

1. Take a reading after the last person has used water at night (write down all the digits).
2. Take a second reading in the morning before anyone uses water.
3. If no one used water overnight and the reading has changed, then you know you have a leak.

Know your daily average water use

An average household consumes 0.55 cubic metres a day (120 gallons), which is 50 cubic metres in a three-month billing period.

1. Read your meter often so you are aware of your average daily use and detect leaks early.

2. Question an increase in your daily average. You may have a leak or a change in consumption patterns.

You receive four water bills a year, once every three months. Penalty will be charged even if you did not get your bill. Call the Water office at (807) 625-2255 if you need to update your address. Set up bill due date reminders or call the water office to set up your reminders.

Additional charges apply to:

• late payments

• water arrears notices

• water bill reprints (excluding the current bill)

• all cheques returned NSF (cheque does not clear bank)

A 5% penalty on the current bill is charged if payment is not received by the due date. A fee is charged when a water arrears notice is sent out. A fee is charged for bill reprint requests for all bills except the current bill.

The City of Thunder Bay may discontinue service on accounts for non-compliance with the Waterworks By-law including arrears, failure to provide meter readings or failure to provide safe access to your meter. The City of Thunder Bay will not be held responsible for any resulting loss, damage or inconvenience. Fees are charged for both the shut-off and turn-on.

Outstanding water balances will be transferred to the tax roll of the property and be held as a lien against the property.

• 2026 Sewer & Water Rates
• 2025 Sewer & Water Rates
• 2024 Sewer & Water Rates

Water is lost due to leaking faucets, old water-guzzling toilets, and excessive outdoor watering. Practice the 3Rs of wise water use:

• Reduce - Become aware of the amount of water you're using and look for ways to use less
• Retrofit - Replace water-guzzling toilets and appliances with more water-efficient models, or retrofit existing appliances with water-saving devices
• Repair - Stop the leaks! In one year, a leak of just one drip per second wastes 14 cubic metres (3,000 gallons) of water. Running toilets should be repaired. A leaking toilet can waste hundreds of cubic metres of water a month and is the #1 cause of high water bills.

No. Customers without an outside remote are responsible to submit meter readings every three months between the 1st and the 21st. Your water meter is located inside your home.