On Monday, city council officially passed a bylaw making water meters mandatory throughout the city.
Single-family homes and multifamily dwellings without the devices will now have them installed over the next five years.
As of last year about 8,600 homes - roughly 30 per cent of the city - remained without a meter as most have had them installed voluntarily.
"We reached the point where we have saturated the market in terms of voluntary pick up so council has approved mandatory meters for those who don't have them," said city spokesperson Ted Townsend.
The bylaw replaces a volunteer program whereby homeowners could choose meters over a flat rate of $1,070 per year. The flat rate typically covers a family of six so any households with fewer residents will typically save money, according to the city.
Water meters are found to have conserved water in other municipalities as residents are more conscious of its use.
Neptune Technology Group is contracted by the city to install the meters.
The costs ($1,000 per meter) are paid for by the city out of the existing utilities budget. Residents can also have free water saving devices, such as low flow shower and toilet adapters, installed. Neptune also provides a free water leak audit. Water leaks account for about 15 per cent of all water use, according to the city.
A city staff report in April 2013 stated water rates are expected to increase 34 per cent over the next four years. Under the bylaw, residents who are charged more than the flat rate for metered water can apply for a refund for the difference in the first year.
The new installations will be rolled out over five years across five geographic locations. Southeast Richmond homes will be the first to get the meters, followed by those in east Richmond, northwest Richmond, the Steveston area and finally the city centre and north Richmond, including Sea Island.
In another effort for residents to save water and money the city continues to provide a $100 rebate for those who install low-flow toilets. The Toilet Rebate Program has benefited 3,289 bathrooms since January 2010.
Typical water use per home
(According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation):
1) Toilets 26%
2) Washing machines 21%
3) Showers 17%
4) Faucets 16%
5) Leaks 14%
6) Baths 2%
7) Dishwashers 2%
8) Other 2%
