THE City of Surrey is encouraging more households to switch to water meters by offering a $850 value incentive towards the installation of a water meter.  This incentive is for the first 1,000 single-family or duplex homeowners by end of 2026, as part of the City’s Water Meter Rebate Pilot Program designed to help residents lower their utility bills while promoting long-term water conservation and system efficiency.

“Water metering is a good investment for both our residents and the City,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “It ensures fair billing based on actual usage, helps detect leaks early, and encourages responsible water consumption. Now is the optimal time for Surrey residents to switch to metered billing and save an estimated $1,467 per year on the average utility bill. Surrey’s non-metered homes incurred an additional $293.57 sewer levy this year as a result of Metro Vancouver increasing the regional sewer levy to fund the new North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant. In all, that’s nearly 47% in annual savings—money that stays in families’ pockets from the start.” 

Under the pilot program, residents can access:

• A free meter and setup valued at $450, plus a $400 rebate toward installation—for a total incentive of $850 for the first 1,000 eligible single-family or duplex homes.
• Up to $1,500 in rebates for multi-family stratas with 15 or more units, available to the first 30 strata properties.

While many homes require an upfront installation investment, the City estimates that most residents will recover these costs within two to four years, with immediate savings beginning from their first metered bill.

“If you’re not metered, you’re not just paying for your own water—you’re helping cover a greater portion of the costs of leaks across the system,” said David Matsubara, Director of Utilities. “That’s a key reason why flat-rate bills are so much higher. Expanding metering helps us pinpoint and reduce losses, which ultimately lowers costs for everyone.”

To support a smooth transition, if the new total metered bill is higher than the previous flat bill, the City will provide a one-time credit to cover the difference for single-family and duplex homes during the first year of installation.

Currently, 78% of single-family homes in Surrey are already metered, one of the highest rates in the region. The pilot program is part of Surrey’s commitment to affordability, sustainability, and smart infrastructure as the city continues to grow.

The City will launch a robust communication plan to promote the rebate program, targeting the approximately 16,750 single-family homes that remain unmetered. Staff will report back to Council at the end of 2025 and 2026 with updates on program uptake and any recommended adjustments.

For more information on the water meter rebate program, visit surrey.ca/watermeterprogram.