Water Service Options in Vancouver

Unlike electricity or internet services, water service in Vancouver is municipal — meaning homeowners receive water from a single public system rather than competing providers.

Who Provides Water in Vancouver?

Water service involves two public agencies:

Metro Vancouver supplies and treats regional drinking water.

The City of Vancouver provides:

• Local water distribution

• Sewer services

• Stormwater drainage

There are no private water utilities serving residential properties.

Where Does Vancouver’s Water Come From

Vancouver’s water comes from protected mountain watersheds:

• Capilano Reservoir

• Seymour Reservoir

• Coquitlam Reservoir

These watersheds collect rainfall and snowmelt and are closed to public access to protect water quality.

Why this matters to homeowners

• Naturally soft water

• Minimal chemical treatment required

• Excellent tasting drinking water

• Reduced mineral buildup on appliances

How Water Gets to Your Home

Every serviced home typically has:

• Regional transmission mains delivering water into the city

• Municipal distribution pipes serving neighbourhoods

• A service connection to the home

• Shut-off valves and internal plumbing controls

Some properties have water meters, while others use flat-rate billing structures.

How Water Billing Works

Water costs are usually included with property taxes or utility billing rather than frequent standalone invoices.

Charges included

Costs may combine:

• Water service

• Sewer service

• Solid waste services

• Drainage fees

Billing structure varies depending on property type and meter installation.

What Happens When You Buy and Move Into a Home

When ownership changes:

• Utility responsibility transfers automatically through property tax records.

• The new owner assumes future utility charges.

• Outstanding balances are typically cleared during closing.

New homeowners should confirm account details with the City after possession.

Homeowner Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Interior plumbing maintenance

• Leak repairs on private property

• Maintaining private service connections

• Installing backflow prevention where required