Water meters measure the amount of water used at your property and help ensure you are billed for the water you use.
All residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties connected to the City's water system have a water meter.
About Your Water Meter
The City has more than 6,000 water meters. Most are digital meters that can store up to 95 days of hourly water-use data. City staff can access this information when needed to help identify unusual water use or potential leaks.
Water meters are mechanical devices and need to be maintained or replaced over time. Most residential meters typically last about 20 years, while larger commercial or industrial meters may require more frequent replacement.
Request a Water Meter Replacement
If your water meter is damaged, not working properly or needs to be replaced, submit a request to the City. Staff will review your request and contact you to arrange next steps.
Request a Water Meter Replacement
Finding Your Water Meter
Your water meter is typically located inside your property, near where the water service enters the building.
Common locations include:
- Along the front basement wall near the floor
- Near the main water shut-off valve
- Basement washrooms, laundry rooms or furnace rooms
- Crawlspaces
- A cabinet on the main floor
Some properties have their meter outside in a special chamber at the property line, known as a meter pit.
Can't find your water meter? Contact Customer Service at 905-835-2900 and we can help.
Your Responsibilities
The water meter is owned by the City, but property owners are responsible for protecting it and keeping it accessible.
Property owners must:
- Protect the meter from damage, including freezing
- Keep the meter accessible for inspection, maintenance or replacement
- Avoid building walls, installing fixtures or placing permanent obstructions around the meter
- Notify the City if the meter's tamper seal or tag needs to be removed for plumbing work
If you or your plumber needs to remove the meter's seal or tag, contact the City so staff can inspect and reseal the meter.
Is Your Water Meter Leaking?
First, determine whether the leak is coming from the water meter or from your property's plumbing.
Reading Your Water Meter
Reading your water meter can help you monitor how much water you're using and identify potential leaks.
Most Port Colborne properties have a digital water meter. The display may need to be activated before you can read it. Shine a bright light, such as your phone's flashlight, onto the meter display to activate it.
The City uses different models of water meters, and the information shown on the display varies by model.
Using Your Meter to Check for Leaks
Your water meter can help determine whether water is being used when it shouldn't be.
Turn off faucets and make sure appliances and fixtures that use water are not running. Check your water meter and then check it again after a period when no water has been used.
If the meter shows continued water use, you may have a leak somewhere on your property.
Leaks can lead to significantly higher water use and higher bills.