Water Meters
Water meters include a digital meter head. See the How to Read Your Meter guide.
Water meters have a radio transmitter which allows the City to read your meter without entering your home. The external location of the transmitter must be in a location that allows for reliable communication with the data collector. The radio must be in an exterior location that is accessible. These meters are very accurate and ensure you are billed on actual, not estimated, water consumption. This is how transmitters work:
Transmitters installed before November 2023:
- The radio transmitter is in sleep mode until a Meter Reader approaches.
- Meter Readers drive a vehicle with a data collector unit that sends out a wake-up signal.
- When the transmitter receives the signal, it determines what the water meter reading is and sends this reading along with its identification number back to the data collector unit.
- Once the meter reading has been successfully transmitted, it goes back into sleep mode.
- The information is downloaded at the end of the day and used to calculate your next water/utility bill.
Transmitters installed after November 2023:
- The meter in the basement is connected to the transmitter attached to the outside of the home through a wire, similar to an internet, cable, doorbell or telephone line.
- The meter sends the water reading to the transmitter.
- The transmitter then sends the data to community collection points, which in turn uploads the encrypted information to the City. There are 25 collection points, often attached to or beside an existing City structure.
- The data collectors only transmit water consumption information during scheduled time periods (approximately once every 4 hours).
The primary water meter in the City of Regina’s current meter fleet is the Neptune Mach 10 Water Meter. The meter head’s digital display includes flow indicators, a leak indictor icon, and the meter reading. Get to know your water meter better using this helpful breakdown of the digital display in our How to Read Your Meter guide.
Installing Wire or Conduit in New Buildings
All new residential properties must include a cable or conduit between the meter location and the exterior of the structure. A conduit between the meter location and the proposed radio location is required for all new commercial properties. A conduit is preferred to cable-runs for commercial properties because the number of meters changes much more frequently than multi-residential properties.
Review a summary of the construction specifications for water metering equipment.
Installing Water Meters in New Buildings
Water meters are installed in every building to track the use of water for billing purposes. Once a building permit has been issued by the City, an account for water/utility services is created. The building permit applicant must provide a valid mailing address (not the new building address) for water/utility bills issued during the time of construction.
Water meters are typically installed near where the water service line enters the property, usually in a basement. Prior to water use or occupancy, the building permit applicant is responsible for arranging a water meter installation within a specified timeframe:
- Single-Family Residential Buildings (single-metered residential premises with no more than four dwelling units) have six months from the building permit issue date.
- Multi-Residential Buildings (single-water metered premise with five or more dwelling units) have four months from the building permit issue date.
- Commercial Buildings (premise in which a business, profession, industry, trade or commerce is carried out and may have a single or multiple water meter(s) installed) have four months from the building permit issue date.
Review a summary of the construction specifications for water metering equipment.
For more information, please refer to the Water Meter Installation Guideline.
Water Meter Sizing Process
- Review the Water Meter Sizing Form Guide and Water Meter Sizing FAQ to determine your water meter needs.
- Complete the Water Meter Sizing Form.
- Print and sign the Water Meter Sizing Form. Scan and email to watermetersizingform@regina.ca, hand deliver to the main floor in City Hall or mail to:
Attention: Water Meter Sizing - Building D
2476 Victoria Avenue
PO Box 1790
Regina, SK S4P 3C8 - When notified that the form has been approved and requires a spacer, call Service Regina at 306-777-7000 to arrange a pickup time and location.
It is the responsibility of the building permit applicant to notify the City when construction is complete and turned over to the occupant. This ensures the building permit applicant/owner is removed from billing. The building permit applicant is billed based on assumed consumption and charged the assumed consumption rate (See Schedule B of the Regina Water Bylaw No. 8942) if the water meter has not been installed before the activation date.
For questions about water meters or to book a water meter appointment, call (306) 777-7000.
For questions regarding the Water Meter Sizing Application, email watermetersizing@regina.ca.
