Rates, Meters, Billing & Fees

Each year, Markham Council approves a Combined Water and Wastewater Rate.

This rate covers:

• The purchase of drinking water from York Region
  
• The treatment of the Wastewater
  
• Operating and maintaining the local water system. This includes water sampling, water mains, fire hydrants, and more.

Water fees also help Markham ensure that its water meets the Ontario's Drinking Water Standard. These standards are found in the Safe Drinking Water Act (2001). All revenue goes to fund the municipal waterworks system.

Markham Water Rate (per cubic metre) 

Rates are effective annually on April 1.

• 2019 Rate —  $4.4680
  
• 2020 Rate —  $4.4680
• 2021 Rate —  $4.4680
• 2022 Rate —  $4.6163
• 2023 Rate —  $4.7937
• 2024 Rate —  $4.9632

Rate increases not implemented in 2020 & 2021 due to COVID-19 

Read the report on the 2019 water rate (PDF).

Why is the wastewater portion of my rate higher than the water?

Across the Country it is normal to see higher wastewater charges compared to water costs for many reasons:

1. The City of Markham does not have direct access to a water source and does not have a drinking water or a wastewater treatment plant. Thus, York Region is the City of Markham’s water wholesaler. The Region charges Markham for both water and wastewater service fees regardless of whether the drinking water ends up in the sewer. Lawn watering, car washing, pool filling and draining all result in sanitary sewer fees because the City needs to recover the costs charged by York Region.
2. Markham’s water and wastewater rate is currently set to ensure there is sufficient funds to pay York Region for water and sewer services, day-to-day operating and asset replacement/rehabilitation costs. Wastewater is dirty and filled with organic waste and many other items that should never be flushed or poured down drains (ie. condoms, hair, tampons, cooking oil, wipes); so, it takes more time, money and energy to clean this type of water so that it can be released back into Lake Ontario.

Charges for water and electricity appear on your Alectra bill. This bill is sent every 2 months. We calculate water and sewer charges by multiplying water consumption (cubic metre) by the water rate:

Combined Water & Wastewater Charge = Water Usage(m³) x Water Rate

This sample bill below shows where to find your water consumption and water and sewer charges. You can also find see how much water you’ve recently used.

On January 1, 2024, the City of Markham updated the fees charged to customers for individual services.

The fees below are effective as of January 1, 2024. They do not include taxes. See Fee By-law 2002-276 for reference.

"Cost-plus" means the cost plus overhead and applicable tax.

Fire Hydrant Meter

New Development Meter Costs:

Meter Removal Costs

Note: Cost to remove a meter prior to the building being demolished and/or the water service being decommissioned or abandoned. Failure to have the meter removed prior to the building being demolished will incur a penalty equal to twice the applicable removal fee.

Meter Replacement Costs:

Note: Cost to replace a meter that has been frozen or damaged through the owner's misuse or negligence. Water meters over 1 inch must be installed by a licensed plumber. ICI installation cost is the responsibility of the purchaser.

Water Meter Testing Fee:

Construction Water:

Cost of water used during construction of a sub division or site plan. Cost includes water used during chlorination & flushing, as well as during construction.

Inside Meter Reading

Note: The City's meter readers use a remote readout device to obtain readings quickly and without disturbing the customers. Customers who refuse to have a remote readout device installed will be charged a fee for each reading in order to recover the additional time & effort required to obtain a meter reading.

Lateral Inspection and Clearing Blockage

Note: CCTV inspection of sanitary sewer lateral and removal of any blockages found. The fee applies only for blockages on Private side, or blockages on Markham side caused by owner's negligence or abuse (i.e. dumping grease or acids in the sewer).

Records Search

Subdivision & Site Plan Admin Fees

Chlorine Residential Maintenance prior to Acceptance

(per meter of watermain)
Note: Labour cost & water used in flushing to maintain chlorine residual until Acceptance for Maintenance.

Backflow Prevention Admin Fees

Flood control improvements will be funded through the Stormwater Fee charged to all property owners; residential and non-residential. This fee, combined with revenue from the Canada Gas Tax, will help fund both current and future stormwater infrastructure improvement projects city-wide.

Residential Stormwater Fee: $54 per residential property

Non-Residential Stormwater Fee: $30.00 per $100K of Current Value Assessment (CVA)

This fee is applied to the final tax bill for each property owner in Markham, effective since Fall 2015 and Fall 2016 for non-residential business and vacant land owners.

Annual Adjustments

As per the City of Markham's By-law 2019-100, the Non-Residential Stormwater fee rate adjusts to account for the average change in CVA. The resulting annual adjustments are summarized in the table below:

The adjusted non-residential Stormwater Fee rate is not retroactive – it is applicable to the year in which it was adjusted.

All homes and businesses connected to Markham's municipal water system have a water meter. Water meters measure how much water you use. You are charged based on the amount of water used.

There are laws around installing, fixing, maintaining, and using water meters. Read Markham's Water Use By-law 2019-53 for more details.

To apply for a water meter, use the online application form:

• Application for Residential and ICI Water Meter

Installation Details:

• Residential Water Meter Installation Details [PDF]

Industrial/Commercial/Institutional (ICI) meters (2” and above)

For larger ICI meters, you will need to submit:

• A copy of the approved site servicing plan
• An engineer’s letter indicating peak water flow rate and recommended meter size
• Installer contact and billing information.

Prior to the install date:

We will contact the Applicant/Developer/Builder to confirm dates for water meter delivery, installation and a site survey (2 -3 weeks prior to the install). 

• Site survey includes taking measurements, confirm material requirements, plan equipment, and arrange any equipment necessary with the builder for handling the meter (if required).

On the install date:

• The City contractor will be on site and proceed with installation.
• The water meter will be delivered to the site prior to or on this date along with parts.
• The builder will need to provide equipment to unload meter and move into place, which may involve removing chamber lid depending on size of opening.

If you have questions about your water meter, please contact:

Find out how much water you’re using! Or check for leaks using the information below.

If you receive a very high water bill, you may have leaks inside your plumbing system. You’re responsible for your own plumbing. If there is a leak, please contact a plumber. You’ll need to pay for the water used.

To check for leaks:

1. Turn off all water fixtures, including humidifiers, air conditioners and icemakers.
2. Record your water meter reading (Learn more about how to read your water meter).
3. Do not use any water over a period of several hours.
4. Check your water meter reading. If the reading has not changed when you return, your plumbing is watertight. If your meter reading does change, you may have a leaky faucet, toilet, or pipe.

The City of Markham offers bulk water for Markham businesses that require potable water for their water trucks, trailers, tanks, or other potable water containers. Businesses/contractors must set up an account to access the Bulk Water Station.

Introducing PORTAPAY — an online bulk water purchase website

Exciting news to share for all bulk water customers! The City of Markham is introducing an online payment system to purchase bulk water, and we would like you to be one of the first customers to try it out.

The new online payment system ‘Portapay’ is a website that can be accessed on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop.  Customers can use the website to:

• create accounts
• purchase bulk water
• view bulk water account balances

Customers will have the ability to load their credit card(s) to purchase bulk water.  This new process will eliminate delays in making payments (currently via credit card or cheque at the Civic Centre), and in updating account balances manually.

Click here for FAQ's

Bulk Water Account

You must set up a bulk water account in order to add funds and to receive a key FOB needed to access the bulk water station.

• Please note: 8100 Warden is not open to the public for walk-in services
• Contact the City of Markham at bulkwater@markham.ca or 905.477.5530 and ask to speak to a bulk water representative
• An Environmental Services associate will arrange an appointment to hand off the key FOB required to access the bulk water station once payment is deposited into your account

Payment Options 

• By cheque payable to: "City of Markham". Include "Bulk Water" in the memo section of the cheque.
  • Mail in:
    The Corporation of the City of Markham
    101 Town Centre Boulevard
    Markham, Ontario L3R 9W3
    Attention: Bulk Water
    

• In person:
  • Markham Civic Centre
    101 Town Centre Boulevard
    Thornhill entrance (payment box located outside)
    Please insert in an envelope and write "Bulk Water" on it
• Credit card payments can be made in person at Markham Civic Centre (see above)
  

Important Notes:

• The balance on your account will not be updated until payment is deposited by our cash office staff (for payments made at the Civic Centre - in person/by mail) 

Bulk Water Station

• Address: 555 Miller Avenue, Markham (Rodick Road & north of 14th Avenue)
• Hours of operation: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
• Type: single user
• Service connection: 75 millimeter 3-inch female end cam-couple hose assembly
• You must have your own hose
• Reminder - no Idling or littering at the bulk water stations

Fire Hydrant Permit

You can also get bulk water from a fire hydrant if you have a permit. Water purchased from a fire hydrant is sold at the same rate as the bulk water station.

Please contact us at 905.477.5530.

It's illegal to use a fire hydrant without a permit.

Tampering can cause damage to the hydrant and also contaminate our drinking water.