Utility Billing and Rates

The Township of Ramara regulates municipal water and wastewater rates through the Water and Sewage Service Rates Bylaw. and issues water and wastewater bills on a quarterly basis.

Meter Readings

Water meters are read and billed four times per year (every 3 months). Properties with a water meter have an outside reading device (MXU) to allow meter readers to obtain readings without having to enter your home or business. If we cannot get a read for billing purposes, you will be contacted by the municipality.

Please be aware that higher-than-normal consumption may indicate a leak within your home. Residents and businesses are responsible for water consumption, including consumption caused by leaks.

Rates

Current billing rates in the Township include a flat fixed charge per quarter plus a variable (by volume) rate for each cubic metre of water used.

Water rates

Bylaw 2024.21 sets the water rate until December 31, 2024. These water rates will be applied on your first utility bill of 2025 capturing consumption from October 1 - December 31, 2024.

Effective January 1, 2025, Bylaw 2024.79 sets the water rates for the years 2025-2033.

Wastewater (sewage) rates

Bylaw 2024.21 sets the wastewater rate until December 31, 2024. These wastewater rates will be applied on your first utility bill of 2025 capturing consumption from October 1 - December 31, 2024.

Effective January 1, 2025, Bylaw 2024.79 sets the water rates for the years 2025-2033.

2024 Rate Review

The current Water and Wastewater Rate review and budget and Water and Wastewater presentation forms the 2025-2033 utility rates. This review formed the updated utility rates that will be in place from 2025-2033.

The rate structure aims to ensure that the Township continues to generate sufficient funds on an annual basis to cover operating and capital expenditures. As well water and wastewater rates are calculated to promote customer control and water conservation measures.

Previous Water and Wastewater Rate studies

Water and Wastewater Rate Study (February 26, 2024) - Staff led

Water and Wastewater Rate Study (December 1, 2021) - Hemson

Frequently Asked Questions

At the Special Council meeting held on June 3, 2024, the Council approved for staff to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address residents' questions following the water and wastewater rate review completed in February 2024.

If you wish a hard copy of the Frequently Asked Questions document, please contact staff at info@ramara.ca or call 705-484-5374 ext. 322.

Water and Wastewater Rate FAQ

Bayshore Village Sewage Works FAQ

Payment and account changes

You must pay your water and wastewater bill by the due date. A late payment charge applies to all past due bills at a rate of 1.25% each month.

2025 Utility Inserts

Spring Insert

Water Usage Customer Portal

The Township of Ramara's Water Usage Customer Portal allows water users to monitor their water consumption from the comfort of their home. The online portal will allow owners to set up email notifications when abnormal water usage is detected at their property.

The portal allows water users to:

Monitor water usage
Understand current and previous billing
Optimize water conservation through water usage monitoring
Customize alerts regarding water consumption, which can help identify leaks

Please note that past water bills and payments cannot be accessed or made through the Portal. For this information, please contact our Utility Coordinator at 705-484-5374.

Visit the Portal

Account Changes and Payment Options

Paperless Billing

Sign up and you will receive a PDF version of your utility (water and sewer) bill delivered directly to your email account. The eBill will look exactly the same as your current paper bill.

Paperless - Utility Bills

Payment options

There are multiple options for paying your bill on time.

Payment options

Pre-Authorized Payment

Users on Ramara's water and/or wastewater services can choose to pay their utility bills either through monthly installments or quarterly installments (April 30, July 31, October 31, Jan 31).

How does it work?

Users on Ramara's water and/or wastewater services can choose to pay their utility bills either through monthly installments or quarterly installments (April 30, July 31, October 31, Jan 31).

The monthly installments will be calculated based on usage in the previous year. For 11 months of the year (January to November), the same PAP amount will be automatically withdrawn from utility users' accounts. December of each year will be an adjustment month. During the adjustment month, any remaining balance for the year will be cleared, leaving the account with a zero balance or possibly a credit balance.

Please note that credit balances will not be refunded but used towards future billings. Refunds will only be issued if a property is sold. You can also sign up during the year if you meet all the requirements below.

Users can sign up at any time, but it takes three weeks after signing up for the program to come into effect.

Program Criteria

Applicants must sign off and agree to the following criteria:

The utility user must own the property for at least one year.
The current utilities must be at a zero balance.
The utility user must not miss their PAP payments. If a user misses payments less than twice a year, they can stay on the PAP if they make an agreement with the Utility Clerk and follow through with the agreement.
The utility user must agree to the terms above.

Change of address

To change your mailing address, please use the following Online form.

Selling your home?

If you are selling your home, please ensure your lawyer contacts the Utilities Coordinator in writing to provide important information such as closing date, new owners contact information and to arrange for a final read of your water meter.