Was your last utility bill estimated? Then you should take part in Meter Reading Week by submitting your water meter reading to us. Meter Reading Week runs until January 17.
We send estimated utility bills when we don’t have a meter reading from you for your billing cycle (which is approximately three months). Estimates are based on our billing system calculations and your previous consumption habits. This could mean you may be paying too much or not enough on your bill. While this may sound great at first, it can lead to a very expensive catch-up bill.
Estimates can also hide a water leak. This can get very expensive very quickly. “A leak the size of a pencil lead can cost around $20 a day,” said Setha Phanlouvong, Assistant Controller of Customer Accounts.
If a customer goes six months or more without submitting a water meter reading, that small leak can cost that customer over $3,600.
The Water By-Law requires utility customers to provide at least one water meter reading each calendar year. However, if you provide us with accurate quarterly meter readings, you can avoid these costly surprises. Quarterly meter readings allow you to:
- Track your consumption including seasonal variations in water use
- Highlight large spikes in use – which can be a leak
- Ensure that you are only paying for the water you use
How and when do I submit readings?
Submitting water meter readings is as easy as one, two, three:
- Find your water meter. You can usually find it in your basement or in a crawl space.
- Read your meter. Write down the meter number on the lid of the meter, then lift the lid and write down the number on the odometer style dial. Make sure you write down every number, including all zeros and the decimal number at the end.
- Submit your meter reading. Visit winnipeg.ca/submitreading. Select “Quarterly” for the reading type and enter your meter number and meter reading.
You will know when it’s time to submit your next reading when you receive a meter reading reminder card in the mail. Customers with a MyUtility profile will also receive a reminder by email.
“We encourage residents to submit their readings as soon as they receive their reminders, as it is very easy to forget,” said Phanlouvong.
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