Utility Billing and Rates

The main driver is the actual cost of operating and maintaining safe, reliable water and wastewater systems. By law, these services must be fully funded through user rates, not taxes, so rates must cover operations, maintenance, compliance, capital upgrades, and reserves.

By law, the Township must fully recover the costs of operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems. Aging infrastructure, operational costs, and evolving provincial safety and environmental standards all contribute to the total cost of the systems.

Residents on Township systems rely on municipally operated infrastructure that must meet strict provincial standards. Private well and septic owners are responsible for their own systems.

Currently there are seven areas in the Township serviced by water and two of those areas also are connected to wastewater.

It is difficult to compare municipal water and wastewater systems directly as costs vary by municipality based on number of users, infrastructure requirements and geographical location and provincial funding. In general, rural municipalities with small user bases typically face higher per‑household costs because fewer users share the expenses. The regulatory requirements by rural municipalities are the same as large municipalities with more users.

Parts of the system were originally built to serve the community as it is today, including areas that are already fully developed. Other components were designed with additional capacity so they can support future growth.

Past assessments, including the Township’s Asset Management Plan, have shown the need for ongoing investment.

Council sets rates based on professional staff guidance, technical assessments, and legislative requirements. Rates must fully fund system operations, infrastructure, and reserves.

Every dollar stays within water and wastewater systems, supporting daily operations, infrastructure renewal, emergency response, and investing in reserves for future needs.

While the Township applies for all available grants, the Township must build a fiscally responsible system that does not rely on unknown, external funding. Generally speaking, grants are for project-specific activities, supporting capital upgrades, not user-rate subsidies.

Each year, water and wastewater rates are set through the budget process and are based on the anticipated cost of operating the systems, along with planned contributions to reserves.

Rates are not set higher than needed. If, at the end of the year, there is any surplus, it is transferred into the water and wastewater reserves, consistent with financial best practices and provincial requirements for self-funded utilities. These reserves help stabilize future rates and fund capital needs, ensuring residents only pay what is necessary to keep the system safe and reliable.

Improving efficiency is a standard practice of how water and wastewater systems are managed. When equipment reaches the end of its life and capital replacements are needed, technical experts assess whether newer, more efficient technology or processes could improve performance or reduce long-term costs. If the upgrades add value, they are built into the project.

Township staff and the operating authority, OCWA, also stay up to date on new technologies and practices through ongoing training and certification, ensuring the systems are operated as efficiently as possible.

Rate changes are communicated through discussions at Council meetings, Township website updates, and direct communication such as your water and sewer bill.

If we keep rates the same or minimize rate increases, the challenges only get larger and more expensive. But by acting now and following the recommendations of our knowledgeable and committed staff, investing wisely, and planning responsibly, we can stabilize costs over time and set Ramara on a stronger path forward.

The Township’s long-term plan is to ensure a reliable, compliant, affordable, and sustainable water and wastewater system that protects public health, the environment and supports future growth.

No. Residents who are not connected to a municipal water or wastewater system do not pay toward the costs of that system. Their property taxes do not fund municipal water or wastewater infrastructure, operations, or repairs. By law, all system costs must be covered by the users.

The Township operates one water system and one wastewater system. Water users pay for the water system. Wastewater users pay for the wastewater system. The expenses for the operations, infrastructure investments, system repairs and reserve contributions for each system are funded from its respective users.

Even if a property is vacant, the Township must maintain the water and wastewater systems so they are safe, compliant, and ready for use at any time. Base charges fund fixed costs that exist regardless of consumption such as maintenance, compliance, and system readiness.

Water/wastewater bills are issued quarterly. You will receive a bill every three months based on your property’s meter reading for that period. Bills are mailed or emailed (depending on your chosen delivery method) shortly after the quarterly meter readings are completed. Each bill includes your current consumption usage, base charges, and the total amount due, along with the due date.

Water meters are read four times per year, once every three months by radio network. These readings are used to calculate your quarterly water and wastewater charges in accordance with the Township’s Water and Wastewater Rates Bylaw.

No. Properties with a water meter are equipped with an external reading device (MXU), allowing the Township to obtain accurate readings without entering your home or business.

If a reading cannot be collected due to equipment issues or obstructions, an estimated reading will be billed and you will receive notice to contact the Township Office for next steps.

Higher-than-normal consumption often indicates a leak inside your home or business. Toilets, faucets, irrigation systems, and internal plumbing are common causes. Property owners are responsible for all water that passes through the meter, even if the increased usage is due to a leak.

Yes. Any water that passes through your meter is considered consumed at your property. Because leaks occur in private plumbing systems that the Township cannot access, it is the property owner's responsibility to identify and repair them.

You can check for leaks by:

• Monitoring consumption using the Water Usage Customer Portal
• Inspecting toilets, faucets, and outdoor taps for constant flow or drips
• Looking for damp spots, pooling water, or hissing sounds around pipes
• Turning off all fixtures and checking if the meter is still running

If you cannot find the leak, a licensed plumber can assist.

The Portal allows you to:

• Monitor your water usage
• Compare current and past consumption
• Customize alerts to identify abnormal usage or potential leaks
• Improve water conservation through tracking tools

Please note: past bills and payments cannot be accessed through the Portal. For billing history or payment information, contact the Township’s Utility Coordinator at 705-484-5374 ext. 221.

You can monitor your usage at any time through the Water Usage Customer Portal, which provides up-to-date information on your water consumption. The portal also allows you to set up alerts for unusual or continuous usage, helping you detect potential leaks early and avoid unexpectedly high bills.

You can also check your water meter directly to compare readings or watch for unexpected changes. If you need help understanding your meter or accessing the portal, Township staff are available to assist.

Wastewater charges are based on the amount of water recorded by your meter. Separating outdoor water use would require installing and maintaining a second meter for each property. This is costly, requires significant upkeep, and would increase system-wide expenses. Because of this, most municipalities, including the Township, use the standard single-meter system to ensure fair and cost-effective billing.