Water Leak Adjustments
Adjustments to the Water Bill
Where the recorded water consumption is abnormal and caused by leaks originating on the customer side of the meter service box or chamber, the customer may qualify for a leak adjustment depending on the nature of the leak.
The leakage of water must have been caused by circumstances beyond the customer's control, such as a break in the service line, a mechanical malfunction, water theft, vandalism, or unusual or emergency conditions.
Effective December 6, 2007, no adjustment shall be made for internal plumbing systems and fixtures, including faucet and toilets, or leaks in irrigation systems on the property.
In determining the leak adjustment, CRD Water Services will take into consideration:
- the cause of the water loss,
- the opportunity of the customer to detect the leak,
- the possibility of customer negligence or fault in connection with the leak, and
- the promptness with which the leak was discovered and stopped or repaired after discovery. (The property owner or tenant has no more than thirty (30) days from the billing date to detect, repair and submit a leak application to the office.
Tangible proof will be required that all leaks have been repaired (i.e. repair receipts)
Note: The CRD Water Services reserves the right to inspect the repair prior to considering a leak adjustment.
Notification
For many properties, the first indication of a leak happens when high consumption is noticed on the water bill. If the total consumption is abnormal and over $200, CRD Water Services will attempt to notify the customer, on a "best effort" basis, of abnormal water consumption but accepts no responsibility for failure to notify the customer.
It is the responsibility of the water consumer to check their water bill carefully and compare the water consumption for the billing period to the corresponding period of previous years.
A customer has no more than thirty (30) days from the date of billing, to formally register a complaint or dispute with CRD Water Services regarding the amount of any water bill.
Note: Once a customer has been notified by CRD Water Services of abnormal consumption, no leak adjustments shall be considered for water consumption which is recorded subsequent to the notification date.
Calculation of Leak Adjustment
The customer shall assume responsibility for the normal amount of water consumed at the current retail rate plus 50% of the water consumed as a result of the leak at the current retail rate. CRD Water Services shall absorb the remainder of the cost of water consumption.
The maximum amount for which a residential customer will be held responsible is one thousand dollars ($1,000); residential customers on strata developments will be held responsible for a maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
Only one leak adjustment per property within a twelve (12) month water consumption period shall be permitted.
Leak Adjustment Application
A Leak Adjustment Application needs to be filled out and completed in order to process a possible leak credit within thirty (30) days of the billing date.
- Leak Adjustment Application (PDF
)
Fill out the Leak Adjustment Application, accompanied by receipts for parts or labour to show the leak has been repaired, and submit within 30 days to:
CRD Water Services,
479 Island Highway,
Victoria, BC, V9B 1H7
Tel: 250.474.9600, option "1" for Billing
We are open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday.