Water Meters and Water Meter Pits

What’s new for water meters?

All City water customers have meters to help ensure that they are paying their share of the costs to operate, maintain, repair, and eventually upgrade or replace the system’s vast network of distribution and treatment infrastructure.

Like all equipment, water meters also eventually need replacing. When your meter malfunctions, City staff will send you a letter, letting you know it is time to schedule a repair or replacement. Unless you hear from us, your meter is working properly.

To book a water meter replacement appointment, please contact the Utilities department at 778-797-2246 or Book your appointment online
If you have an existing meter inside your home, your water rates cover the cost of purchasing and installing the replacement meter. However, all first-time installations for new home construction, must have meters installed in an outdoor pit at the homeowner’s cost.

To learn more about water meters, including where they're located, review our fact sheet or see our questions and answers section below.

Water Meters Questions and Answers

Why do we have meters?

Meters ensure that all customers pay their share of administration and operating expenses, and the costs of maintaining, repairing, replacing or upgrading the vast water distribution and treatment infrastructure.

The City of West Kelowna does not collect property taxes to create the revenue that the water system requires. That is because not all homeowners in the City use the water system. Therefore, the City only charges water rates to those that use the system.

The system is also not for profit. If any one ratepayer does not pay their share, all other ratepayers must cover the lost revenue to cover the system’s expenses.

Having water rates also allow households the option to adjust their water use to help reduce their bills. Find tips on our watering regulations and conservation webpage.

When does the water meter in my home need replacing?

When your water meter malfunctions. When this happens, we will send you a letter letting you know that it is time to schedule a repair or replacement. If you miss the first letter, we will send a second and then a third, final notice.

If you have an existing meter inside your home, your water rates cover the cost of purchasing and installing the replacement meter. However, all installations for new home construction, must have meters installed in an outdoor pit at the homeowner’s cost.

What water meter do I have?

Badger Meters

Your meter has cellular endpoints and meter readings are transmitted every six hours.

Read your meter

Your meter readings and information are accessible to you through the EyeOnWater® app when you register and link your utility account. For a step-by-step guide on accessing your meter readings through the app, click here.

What information does the app provide?

Detects leaks*
Monitors current usage
View usage history
Compare year-over-year usage

_{*Please investigate or call a plumber to assist with locating a leak. City staff cannot tell you what is leaking within your home or business.}

Neptune Meters

Your meter is radio transmitted. The reader drives down your street and information automatically transmits to a mobile device located in the vehicle. We have readings done every three months.

Read your meter

Read your meter by shining a flashlight on the digital display. The last four digits on the right are decimal places. Look at the numbers on the left of the decimal.

Identify a leak

If you see a faucet, this is an indication of a leak, which anything from a broken seal on a tap or toilet to a humidifier can cause. Please investigate or call a plumber to assist with locating a leak. City staff cannot tell you what is leaking within your home or business

What happens if I refuse to have a malfunctioning meter replaced?

The most affordable and reasonable approach is to work with us on the replacement of the meter inside your home.

However, if you refuse, the City of West Kelowna will have to install a water meter pit outside your home where the water service enters your property. Before this happens, the City will send you a third, final notice letter, giving you the opportunity to replace the meter inside your home instead. If the City is required to proceed with the installation of the outside pit and water meter, the City will place all applicable charges on your utility bill.

Any unpaid utility charges transfer to property taxes at yearend as ‘taxes in arrears’, and interest charges will accrue.

Why were some residential meters installed inside?

We are respecting past practices as the indoor installation option was more affordable for homeowners.

However, if you wish to cover your own costs of having an outside pit and meter installed, you may do so.

Utility bills and payment options

Please visit our Utility Billing and Rates page.

Water Meters Pits

City of West Kelowna water regulations require that water meter pits be installed at time of Building Permit for new lots and for new homes that are to be connected to municipal water services.

View the Water Meter Pits Bulletin

Why do you require new meter installations in outside pits?

Water meters located inside buildings are difficult to access when repairs and replacements are required. Indoor access is inefficient for crews and inconvenient for homeowners, as it requires scheduling of entry into your home. By requiring outside pit meter installations, the City can save on repair and replacement time, and coordination efforts and costs. Outside pit meters are required in some other municipalities for these reasons.

What happens if I do not install a new meter for a new home?

If you are building a new home in West Kelowna, your contractor will install the pit and water meter at your cost. Typically, the contractor installs the pit and meter where the water service enters your property.

Without the install, the City will not provide water to your home.