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Why it’s important to read your water meter

If you call the City’s Utility Billing Centre right now, you might be waiting longer than you want to. Our call takers are working to respond to a higher number of requests than usual.

“We are receiving more customer calls now than we have in the past,” says Lisa Marquardson, spokesperson for the Water and Waste Department of the City of Winnipeg. “Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to respond to residents’ concerns in a timely manner.”

You might be able to avoid calling us, simply by providing regular meter readings.

The problem with estimated bills

If you’ve received an estimated bill recently, you’re not alone. Around a third of Winnipeg residents currently receive estimated utility bills.

Your bill is calculated based on the amount of water you use. Water and sewer volume rates are applied, along with a daily base service fee. Also included on your bill is the waste management fee, based on the number of days of your billing period. City council sets these fees and rates.

When we don’t get a meter reading from you, our system generates an estimate of your water use. The estimate is based on your water use during the same time last year, your last utility bill, and average use by customers like you. If we don’t have previous data, the system bases your bill on general consumption patterns, which may not reflect your actual usage.

Estimated bills can either be too high or too low. If a bill is higher than your actual usage, you end up paying for water you aren’t using. But if our estimate is lower than your actual usage, you will receive a higher catch-up bill in the future.

Regular meter submissions also help reduce the chance of a high estimated bill in the future. If you miss one reading, we can use several previous readings to more accurately estimate your usage.

Avoid the estimated bill headache – read your meter!

You can avoid calling us about an estimated bill. It’s simple. Read your meter and submit your reading every time you get a reminder. This way, you will only be billed for the water you use.

When you take a meter reading, you should record two numbers: the meter number on the lid of your meter, and the usage number on the dials inside. Write down each digit left to right, including any zeros and black numbers. Then you can submit your reading online at winnipeg.ca/submitreading.

Watch for leaks and monitor your usage

Toilets, showers and faucets use the most water in your home. The next two culprits are clothes washers and unidentified leaks. A small leak the size of a toothpick can cost almost $20 per day.

Toilets are the most common source of leaks in a home. You can use food colouring to check your toilets for leaks. Place a few drops in your toilet tank, then wait 15 minutes. Don’t flush the toilet during this time. If the water in your toilet bowl is coloured, you have a leak. The most common cause of a leaking toilet is a worn-out flapper valve. Installing a new valve can be a quick and inexpensive fix.

You can reduce your water usage and potentially lower your bill by installing low-flow water fixtures and water saving appliances.

New automated meters coming

Starting in late 2026, we will begin installing automated water meters in homes across the city. These new meters will automatically send your usage data to the City. Submitting meter readings will become a thing of the past.

“We are asking residents to bear with us until we can get the new automated meters installed,” said Marquardson. “We expect it will take around five years to get new meters installed in every home and business across the city.”

Only pay for what you use

Until then, you can keep your utility bill on track by submitting regular water meter readings and only paying for the water you use.

If you are having trouble paying your utility bill, we have support programs available. Residents can learn about payment program eligibility requirements at winnipeg.ca/paymentsupports.