Utility Billing

The District of Saanich meters all water consumed by customers with the exception of those residents in rural areas who are on wells. There are approximately 30,000 water meters in Saanich.  Meters are read once every four months and utility accounts are billed once every four months.

Sewer Charges on the Utility Bill

The four sewer charges currently on the property tax notice are being phased out over three years and moved to the utility bill. One-third was removed in 2007, another one-third is being removed in 2008 and the final one-third in 2009. The sewer user fee is based on the lowest water meter reading of the year, plus a fixed charge. The cost to individual customers will depend on how much water is used. Using the lowest of the readings ensures that summer irrigation will not affect your sewer cost.

How might this affect renters?
Because the sewer charges will be moved from the owners property tax notice to the renters utility bill we encourage renters to discuss this with their landlords.

Please refer to the Sanitary Sewer Bylaw 8792 for details regarding rates.

• Indoor Water Saving Tips
• Seven Ways to Pay Your Utility Bill
• Direct Debit Payment Plan
• Water Meter Access

Utility accounts are charged for water consumption (in cubic meters) and a fixed monthly water charge. Effective January 1, 2008, the water consumption rate is $0.857 per cubic meter ($3.89 per 1,000 gallons) for regular users. The agricultural service connection rate remains at $0.207 per cubic meter ($0.94 per 1,000 gallons).  The monthly charge varies according to the size of the meter.  For example, the monthly charge is $2.80 for a 12.5 mm (½") meter service and $3.75 for a 19mm (3/4") meter service.  Large residential customers may also be charged a surcharge depending on the number of units and size of the water service.  A new utility account that requires a special meter reading is charged a $25.00 fee.  Please refer to the Water Utility Bylaw (PDF 32KB) for details regarding rates.

Utility bills are payable upon receipt.  A 5% penalty is added if unpaid after 30 days from the date of the bill.  The provision of water is considered to be a service to the property and therefore any amount unpaid as at December 31 may be transferred as a charge on property taxes.

Utility accounts within the Sewer Service Area are also charged a sewer user fee and a fixed monthly sewer charge.  Effective January 1 2008, the sewer user fee is $0.514 per cubic meter ($2.33 per 1,000 gallons) and the monthly sewer charge is $1.72.

Indoor Water Saving Tips

For tips on saving water indoors, please go to the CRD website.

Seven Ways to Pay Your Utility Bill:

1. By telephone/computer (Internet): You can pay your utility bill by telephone or via the Internet by making the applicable arrangements with your financial institution.
2. On the Saanich Website: You can pay your utility bill on the District of Saanich website by using a credit card to make payment.
3. The Utility Billing Direct Debit Payment Plan
4. At your bank:  You can pay your utility bill at most financial institutions.
5. By mail: Send your payment to the District of Saanich Utility Department, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC, V8X 2W7. Post dated cheques are accepted. Make cheques payable to "Saanich Utility Dept".
6. 24 Hour Mail Slot:  There is a Mail Slot located at the entrance to the Municipal Hall off of the parking lot for your convenience. 
7. Pay In Person: Bring your utility bill to the Cashier on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Hall at 770 Vernon Avenue. Interac is accepted.  We are open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday, our phone number is 475-5445.

WATER METER ACCESS

The Water Utility Bylaw states that owners shall clear or trim any bush, trees, weeds or other forms of vegetation which hinders or impedes access to the meter from the boulevard and further provides for municipal crews to do the work, if necessary, at the expense of the owner.

DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT PLAN

The Utility Billing Direct Debit Payment Plan is an optional payment plan which authorizes the District of Saanich to automatically transfer your utility account balance on each billing due date (approximately every four months) from a chequing account at any Canadian financial institution.

To apply, complete and SIGN the Authorization Form (PDF 9KB) in this brochure and return it with a VOID blank cheque to the following address.

District of Saanich
Utility Billing Department
770 Vernon Avenue
Victoria BC 
V8X 2W7

Eligibility Guidelines

• You need to have chequing privileges at a Financial Institution in Canada.
• An Authorization Form (PDF 9KB)must be completed and submitted with a blank cheque marked "VOID".

Payment Amount

• The payment amount will be the balance as indicated on your Utility Bill (once every four months). This amount will be different for each Utility Bill based on water consumption.

Payment Dates

• Direct Debit payments will be debited on the due date as indicated on your Utility Bill.

Interest on credit balances

• Payments are credited to your utility account. Interest is not payable in the event of a credit balance on the utility account.

Utility Bill

• When you receive your Utility Bill (approximately every four months), it will indicate the total amount due which will be automatically transferred from your bank account. It will also indicate the due date on which the amount will be withdrawn from your bank account.

Dishonoured Payments

• All dishonoured payments will be subject to a service charge set by the District of Saanich
• The District of Saanich may cancel enrolment in the Direct Debit Payment Plan if two payments are not honoured by the financial Institution.

Requesting Changes?

Written notification to the District of Saanich is required 30 days prior to a payment date for the following changes:

• Selling your property
• Changing your bank account, bank or branch
• Withdrawal from the Direct Debit Payment Plan.

Selling Your Property?

PLEASE CANCEL YOUR PLAN BY NOTIFYING THE DISTRICT OF SAANICH UTILITY BILLING OFFICE. It is your responsibility to ensure that the conveyancing lawyer or notary provides you with any water adjustments on your statement of adjustments.