CloseStarting in 2026, the SCRD will begin billing volumetrically for water in the North Pender and South Pender Water Systems. Quarterly billing is also being introduced for wastewater services in these areas. Find out what water system you are on here.
On this page you can learn more about what this means for you and find answers to some common questions about this change.
Are you in the Regional Water Service? Learn about your utility billing here.
October 30, 2025 October 30, 2026
Important Information about your Account
Your Utility Account Number is Changing.
With volumetric billing starting in 2026, your property has been
assigned a new utility account number.
Your previous annual utility account number will become inactive. Do not continue to make payments on your previous account.
Learn More
Water Service Rates
A new volumetric water rate structure will take into account actual water use at a property.
Drop back in December for information on rates for 2026. More information on the rates will be available at the November 20, Budget Committee – Fees & Charges Review. The agenda for this meeting will be available prior to it taking place at www.scrd.ca/agendas.
Wastewater Services Rates
All residents who receive wastewater (sewer) services from the SCRD will now receive their annual bills quarterly. If residents receive water and wastewater, they will receive a quarterly bill with both services on it. Wastewater Rates are still a flat rate, and not based on volumetric use.
In 2026, this applies to:
- Greaves Road Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Painted Boat Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Merrill Crescent Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Lee Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Lily Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Sakinaw Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant
Drop back in December for information on rates for 2026. More information on the rates will be available at the November 20, Budget Committee – Fees & Charges Review. The agenda for this meeting will be available prior to it taking place at www.scrd.ca/agendas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to some common questions about changes to how the SCRD will bill for water in the North and South Pender water service areas.
Up until now, SCRD water customers have paid a flat rate for water. The volumetric billing project will introduce a new way of billing for SCRD water customers that will result in some charges on your bill based on your water use. This method of billing uses water meter data and can help encourage conservation, ensure fair pricing and cover the costs of maintaining and upgrading SCRD water systems.
The mock bill is an educational tool, illustrating how future water billing will work using the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD)’s quarterly volumetric billing system. It gives you an example based on your property’s recent water use. Residents in North and South Pender Harbour can expect to receive the first “real” bill in April 2026.
Residents in the Regional Water Service will receive mock bills in 2026, with real volumetric billing in 2027.
Water meters are read monthly, and bills will be produced quarterly (every 3 months) based on those readings. The bills could have 2 types of charges – Base and Consumption charges.
The Base Charge is a fixed cost for treating and delivering up to 46 cubic meters (m3) of water per quarter to the property. If the total water use if over 46m3, then the Volumetric Rate (Consumption) is applied. The Volumetric Rate is the charge per m3 of water (1,000 litres) that exceeds 46m3 per quarter.
It’s a standard unit used to measure water usage. One cubic meter equals 1,000 litres of water. Or, to be technical, the volume of water which occupies a 1m x 1m x 1m cube – that’s a lot of water; it also weighs 1,000 kgs or 2,205 lbs!
he SCRD requires one water meter per water service connection. Typically, stratas only have one water service connection that is directly connected to an SCRD water main.
The SCRD will not sub-meter individual units for the following reasons:
- Water pipes and connections within the strata are owned and maintained by the strata.
- Water use such as leakage of pipes within the strata would be unaccounted for.
- Due to the plumbing layout, especially in existing apartment buildings, the installation of water meters would involve removal of partitions and ceilings, which would be very expensive.
- There may be common water use, e.g. irrigation system, common laundry, etc. within the strata which would require separate meters.
You’ll notice a new look and more information when you log into the MySCRD website. The SCRD is updating its bills and mySCRD online payment portal to include information on water use.