Water is a Precious Commodity
We owe it to ourselves to use this resource wisely and to minimize waste. Due to high peak demands in the summer, water restrictions are implemented each year. Watering restrictions will ensure that Mission residents continue to have a high quality water supply capable of supporting a growing population.
The City of Mission provides for the water distribution, sanitary sewer conveyance, and curbside collection of refuse and recycles and compost to its residents within the water, sewer and refuse collection areas.
For those residents who are serviced by these municipal utilities, there is currently a flat rate charge, for each utility, included on the annual property tax notice. For residents outside the refuse collection area, there is a rural recycling fee included on the property tax notice.
Metered Utilities
Residential water meter bills are mailed out quarterly.
| Schedule of Quarterly Water Meter Billing Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Meter Read Date | Approximate Billing Date | Due Date |
| December 31 | January 10 | February 15 |
| March 30 | April 10 | May 15 |
| June 30 | July 10 | August 15 |
| September 30 | October 10 | November 15 |
Quarterly billing will enable quicker leak detection, allow customers to tract their water usage and see seasonal changes.
To request a water meter read outside the quarterly schedule , please complete the Special Water Meter Read Form.
Residential Customers
All single-family homes built after November of 2009 were installed with a water meter, and these homes are charged water and sewer fees based on their water consumption. The City has moved to quarterly meter reading and billing effective January 2022 (see schedule above). Any unpaid meter invoices as of December 31st will have that amount moved onto their property taxes as arrears. The last annual residential metered utility bill (for water and sewer) was read the end of September, and should start arriving in your mail boxes the week of October 18th, with November 15th as the due date.
| 2024 Residential Meter Rates | |
|---|---|
| Water (per cubic meter of water consumed annually) | $1.44 |
| Sewer (per cubic meter of water consumed annually) | $1.56 |
Business Customers
Mission businesses are also on a metered system, with metered utility invoices (for water and sewer) billed quarterly.
Invoice Review
If your water meter bill is unusually high and you have ruled out all high consumption possibilities, you may request a review. Applicable fees may apply. Fill out the form.
Payment Options
Metered invoices can be paid:
- Via your financial institution’s on-line banking site. Add “City of Mission – Utilities” as a “payee”.
Your meter account number is your Payee account number.
Only Utility Payments can be paid using the “Utilities” Payee option
and
Only Tax Payments can be paid using “Taxes” Payee option
- Via Canada Post, cheques only (please mail at least 10 days prior to due date)
- Municipal Hall drop boxes, located at the north and south entrances, cheques only please
- In person at the Municipal Hall, lower floor cashiers (accept cash, cheque, or debit)
Mission became a City in 2021. Not all Financial Institutions have updated their labels. Please look for “Mission” and “Utility” in the name/label.
Secondary Suites
Secondary suites are an important part of the housing mix in Mission. They provide rental housing and opportunities for families to stay together longer. When they’re poorly managed they can also cause a number of issues in a community.
Currently, property owners with a secondary suite are charged double utility fees to cover the additional utility burden. There are two situations whereby property owners can avoid paying double utilities, qualify for an exemption or decommission the secondary dwelling unit.
Exemption
A property owner may be eligible to apply annually to exempt their suite from additional utility charges provided:
- The suite is occupied by the principal owner (personal use); or,
- The suite is occupied by a family member as defined by the Residential Tenancy Act (parents or children of registered owner).
The homeowner must complete the following exemption form to apply for an exemption.
Decommission
If a homeowner wishes to decommission an existing secondary suite, they must complete the decommission form. A secondary suite decommission will be confirmed through an inspection of the property.
Current Utility User Fees
Utility user fees are comprised of Water, Sewer, Garbage and Recycling/Compost services. The 2024 flat-rate user fees per single family home that receive these services are:
| Utility | Base Rate | With Secondary Dwelling | With Secondary Dwelling (Outside Waste Collection Area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | $569.52 | $1139.04 | |
| Sanitary Sewer | $621.00 | $1242.00 | |
| Garbage * | $106.56 | $213.12 | |
| Recycling and Compostables * | $190.68 | $381.36 | $36.00 ** |
| Total | $1,487.76 | $2,975.52 | $36.00 ** |
*Homes currently metered for water, only the garbage and recycling/compostable fees are increased for the secondary dwelling unit.
**Homes outside of the waste collection area pay $18.00 to support the rural recycling program, $36.00 with a secondary dwelling unit.
| Payments can be mailed to: | Dropped off in person: | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Department | City Hall, lower floor | |
| PO Box 20 | 8645 Stave Lake St | |
| Mission, BC V2V 4L9 | After hours drop boxes are available |
Contact Information
For Information on suite exemptions
Tel: 604-820-3718
Email: suites@mission.ca
For Information on Utility Billings
Tel: 604-820-3718
Email: utilityfees@mission.ca
For Information on Bylaw Enforcement
Tel: 604-820-3727
Email: bylawinspections@mission.ca