City ‘blown away’ by water savings

The city has approved 30 residential strata complexes for water meters under an expanded program that’s saving money for nearly all who take advantage of it.

Last year city council expanded the popular program—that offers homeowners the chance to pay for only the water they use—to older strata complexes.

Since then, city council has fielded 107 applications from strata councils, representing 6,399 homes.

Of those, 14 complexes have so far been equipped with water meters—and almost all are saving money.

One such strata is a 220-unit complex, home to Coun. Greg Halsey-Brandt, who pushed council to study the issue.

“We hope to save $14,000 this year in water bills. It’s quite a savings,” he said. “We’re really blown away.”

Having a meter monitor water usage can also cultivate a culture of conservation. Halsey-Brandt said his complex, for example, is looking at reducing irrigation.

“People are a little more cognizant at home in terms of their toilets and showers. I think a lot of people are really thoughtful anyway, but it does make a difference,” he said.

Strata units are not metered individually. Instead, a central meter records water use for the entire complex and the bill is split equally among units—based on size—through strata fees.

Water meters are mandatory for all new residential construction.

Three of every five single-family homes and duplexes are equipped with a meter monitoring water usage, and most are saving money, according to a report tabled yesterday at city hall.

Last year, 87 per cent of homeowners paying for water measured by a meter saved money over the flat rate.

According to a 2009 report, those savings amount to an average of $628 per year.

Staff suggest new water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow toilets, washing machines and shower heads, have much to do with that.

The city is now developing a better leak detection program as a way of further conserving water.

According to Lloyd Bie, manager of engineering planning, city staff are in the process of metering Metro Vancouver water supply mains, which—in conjunction with metering at the end source—provides the city with information to source leaks.

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Water Meters in Richmond

• 61%—Single-family homes and duplexes in Richmond equipped with water meters

• 87%—Metered customers (houses/duplexes) saving money over the flat rate

• 96%—Multi-family complexes collectively saving money over the flat rate

• 54%—Average savings for multi-family complexes