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 — $4.9632
Rate increases not implemented in 2020 & 2021 due to COVID-19
Rate Increase
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Region's Wholesale Rate Increase
|
9.0%
|
9.0%
|
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
3.3% |
3.3% |
3.3% |
Markham's portion of Water/Wastewater Rate Increase |
4.4% |
5.3% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
3.4% |
5.0% |
4.0% |
Total Combined Rate Increase (%) (based on weighting of components for Region & Markham)
|
7.5%
|
7.8%
|
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
3.3% |
3.9% |
3.5% |
Markham's Total Water/Wastewater Rate ($/m3)
|
4.1442
|
4.4680
|
4.4680
|
4.4680
|
4.6163 |
4.7937 |
4.9632 |
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:
- 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.
- 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.
Description |
Cost |
Turn Water On/Off - Regular Hours
Note: Turn water off at the curb to enable customer to perform internal plumbing repairs, then turn water back on. Both shut-off and turn-on occur within normal field staff working hours (8 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday). |
$187.50 |
Turn Water Off - After Hours
Note: Turn water off at the curb to enable customer to perform internal plumbing repairs. Water shut-off performed outside normal field staff working hours (4 PM to 8 AM weekends & holidays). |
$283.00 |
Turn Water On - After Hours
Note: Turn water back on. Water shut-off performed outside normal field staff working hours (4 PM to 8 AM weekends & holidays). |
$283.00 |
Bulk Water Sales - per cubic metre or 1,000 litres
Note: Water sold at current approved rates plus 10% through self-serve pre-paid metered system (similar to store self-serve gas pump) per cubic metre. |
To be charged at current water rate plus 10%
|
Fire Hydrant Meter
Fire Hydrant and Meter Use
Note: Monthly rental fee for use of fire hydrant (minimum one month fee will be charged)
Volume of water used per cubic metre or 1,000 litres
|
$267.00
To be charged at current water rate plus 10%
|
Fire Hydrant Meter Refundable Deposit
Note: Deposit against damage to hydrant, meter or backflow prevention device. Refundable minus cost of meter rental, testing/maintenance fee, installation/removal fee and actual water used. Any damages will be billed at cost-plus.
|
$6,671.50
|
Hydrant Meter Installation or Removal Cost
Note: Field staff time to install or remove meter & backflow prevention device. When moving a meter from one site to another for the same customer, both removal & installation fees apply.
|
$112.00
|
New Development Meter Costs:
Description |
Cost |
Subdivision Agreement: 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch |
$562.00 |
Infill Homes: 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch to 2 inch |
$660.00 to $1,962.60 |
ICI: 2 inch to 6 inch |
$5,501.02 to $18,947.40
|
ICI: MACH 10 -1 1/2 inch to 2 inch |
$3,023.92 to $3,169.98 |
ICI Fire Protection: 4 inch to 10 inch Protectus |
$16,689.50 to $35,341.00 |
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.
Description |
Cost |
Residential Water Meter: 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch to 1 inch |
$181.71 to $248.35 |
ICI: 1.5 inch to 3 inch and over |
$248.35 to Cost-plus |
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.
Description |
Cost |
Residential Water Meter: 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch to 2 inch |
$675.50 to $1,624.43 |
ICI: 2 inch to 6 inch |
$5,169.83 to $14,920.40 |
Protectus 4 inch to 10 inch |
$13,471.82 to 29,873.86 |
Water Meter Testing Fee:
Description |
Cost |
5/8 inch by 3/4 inch to 6 inch Volumetric Test |
$732.55 to $12,613.50 |
Water Quality Sampling (per sample)
Note: Fee to take a water sample and have it tested by the York-Durham Regional Environmental Labs (YDREL) for compliance with SDWA regulations. |
$187.00 |
Sampling Sanitary Sewage Effluent
Note: Fee to take a wastewater sample and have it tested for compliance with Markham's Sewer Use By-Law and other applicable regulations. |
$403.00 |
Camera Inspection of Private Service
Note: Camera inspection of sanitary sewer service using a CCTV mini-camera. Fee applies if the inspection is performed due to customer request or due to a sewer backup where the cause of the backup is found to be on the Private side of the service, or the blockage was caused by the customer (i.e. grease, large debris). |
$445.50 |
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.
Description |
Cost |
Building Lot Construction
Note: Per lot or townhouse based on 27.23 cubic metres (6,000 imperial gallons) per lot |
27.23 cubic metres per unit at current water rate |
Apartment Unit Construction Water
Note: Per apartment or condo unit based on 13.61 cubic metres (3,000 imperial gallons) per lot |
13.61 cubic metres per unit at current water rate |
Commercial Lot Construction Water
Note: Per 1,000 square feet calculated on total lot area based on 9.08 cubic metres (2,000 imperial gallons) per 1,000 square feet |
9.08 cubic metres per 1,000 square foot at current water rate |
Commercial Lot Construction Water
Note: Per hectare calculated on total lot area based on 977.36 cubic metres per hectare. |
977.36 cubic metres at current water rate |
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.
Description |
Cost |
Read by Alectra |
Cost-plus |
Read by Markham Operator |
$200.00 |
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).
Description |
Cost |
Private Side - Residential |
Cost-plus
|
Private Side - ICI |
Cost-plus
|
City Side (not caused by Owner) |
|
Hydrant Flow Test
Note: Support services to flow testing (i.e. hydrant) |
$200.50 (To be charged at current water rate) |
Sewer main-line blockage removal
Note: CCTV inspection of sanitary sewer main line and removal of any blockages found. The fee applies for blockages caused by owner's negligence or abuse (i.e. dumping grease, gravel or acids in the sewer). Owner is the developer in new areas, or the company or person responsible in City-assumed areas. |
Cost-plus |
Flat Rate Water Charge (per month)
Note: All water service connections to the City's system are required to be metered. Any residential or Business Owners who do not have a water meter installed will be charged a flat-rate volume estimated as twice the average residential consumption which is 2m3/day/account, billed in equal amounts monthly. |
$281.00 |
Meter in Chamber read where remote not installed
Note: Large water meters installed in underground chambers should have a remote readout device on the surface. Customers who do not have a remote readout device will be charged for staff time to enter confined space (the chamber) while complying with provincial safety regulations, and obtain a reading. |
$581.00 |
Missed appointment or service refusal
Note: The fee will be charged to customers who make an appointment for services provided by Markham staff and miss the appointment without notifying the Markham in advance, and to customers who refuse to allow Markham staff or contractor access to the water meter in accordance to the Markham's Water Use By-Law. |
$200.00 |
Records Search
Description |
Cost |
Per address
Note: Fee to recover staff time for records searches in regards to sewage backup, flooding or other history. |
$101.00 |
Multiple addresses
Note: Water servicing inquiries or other inquiries relating to multiple addresses |
$507.00 |
Subdivision & Site Plan Admin Fees
Description |
Cost |
Residential Infill Background Information Request Fee |
$166.50 |
Residential Infill New Service Connection Application Review Fee |
$266.50 |
Residential Subdivision Lot (per lot) Note: Fee to recover costs of plan review, comment & approval; supervision & sampling for connection to Markham's system; building permit, acceptance for maintenance & final assumption inspections; annual hydrant inspections to comply with fire regulations; hydrant painting.
|
$327.00 |
ICI Subdivision (per meter of watermain)
Note: Fee to recover costs of plan review, comment & approval; supervision & sampling for connection to Markham's system; building permit, acceptance for maintenance & final assumption inspections to comply with fire regulations; annual hydrant inspections; hydrant painting. |
$21.50 |
Site Plan (per site)
Note: Fee to recover costs of plan review, comment & approval; supervision & sampling for connection to Markham's system. |
$3,466.50 |
Unassumed Subdivision Emergency Response
Note: Recovery of costs associated with responding to emergency calls in unassumed subdivisions (broken water pipe, blocked sewer main or lateral, etc.). |
Cost-plus |
Anti-tamper device repair or reinstallation (per device)
Note: Fee for repair or replacement of anti-tamper devices damaged or removed from unassumed areas. |
$733.50 |
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.
Description |
Cost |
Residential Subdivisions (does not apply to infill homes)
Note: Labour is $1 and water (3.63 cubic metres or 800 imperial gallons per metre length of watermain) |
$1.50 3.63 cubic metres at current water rate
|
ICI Subdivision
Note: Labour is $7.00 and water (6.85 cubic metres or 1,500 imperial gallons per metre length of watermain) |
$9.00 6.85 cubic metres at current water rate
|
Regulatory Water Sampling and Testing Fee (residential subdivisions only)
Note: Regulatory water quality testing until assumption |
$24.00 |
Discharge Request Approval Fee
Note: Review of application for permit to discharge into the Markham's sanitary or storm sewer systems. |
$1,583.50 |
Backflow Prevention Compliance Processing Fee
Note: Administration of "Order to Comply" issued for owners who fail to comply with the Backflow Prevention By-Law. |
$289.50 |
Drinking Waterworks Permit Approval Fee
Note: Review and approval of Drinking Waterworks Permit application for watermain addition or replacement. |
$1,206.00 |
Backflow Prevention Admin Fees
Description |
Cost |
Backflow Prevention Program - Manually Processing Fee for a Test Report Note: The fee applies to the registered Qualified Person who under the Program submits a “Backflow Preventer Test and Inspection Report” without using the City’s online submission system. That non-online submission requires manual processing and data entry by the City’s staff which this fee is meant to cover.
|
$35.00 |
Backflow Prevention Program - Manually Processing Fee for a Survey Report Note: The fee applies to the registered Qualified Person who under the Program submits a “Cross Connection Control Survey Report” without using the City’s online submission system. That non-online submission requires manual processing and data entry by the City’s staff which this fee is meant to cover.
|
$69.50 |
Backflow Prevention Program - Manually Processing Fee for a Device Upgrade Report Note: The fee applies to the registered Qualified Person who under the Program submits a “Device Upgrade Implementation Report” without using the City’s online submission system. That non-online submission requires manual processing and data entry by the City’s staff which this fee is meant to cover
|
$52.00 |
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:
Year
|
Non-Residential Rate per $100,000 in CVA
|
2016
|
$29
|
2017
|
$28
|
2018
|
$27
|
2019
|
$26
|
2020 |
$0.00 |
2021 |
$28.50 |
2022 |
$29 |
2023 |
$29.50
|
2024 |
$30.00
|
Subsequent Years |
2% increase, adjusted for average change in CVA |
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:
Installation Details:
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:
Waterworks Dept.
customerservice@markham.ca
905.477.5530
![e-coder water meter e-coder water meter](/wps/wcm/connect/markham/6a586420-1c57-4119-96a7-a1dee1b259d6/2/e-coder-new.jpg?MOD=AJPERES)
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:
- Turn off all water fixtures, including humidifiers, air conditioners and icemakers.
- Record your water meter reading (Learn more about how to read your water meter).
- Do not use any water over a period of several hours.
- 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
Items |
Fees |
Bulk Water |
$5.45952 per cubic meter effective April 1, 2024
(subject to change with the City's water rate) No minimum purchased required.
|
Key FOB Tool |
$20 all inclusive (new or replacement)
|
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.