In 2027, we will be changing the way water and sewer services are billed, starting with industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) water users and mixed-use buildings.  

Why we’re making this change

Whistler’s water is a precious and limited resource. When water usage is high during peak periods, we cannot always draw enough water from 21 Mile Creek to effectively fight fires. A switch to a metered billing system will encourage us to conserve water, as customers will be more aware of how much water they use. 

Current rates

Currently, Whistler’s water users pay a flat rate based on the type and/or size of their property. We will be shifting to metered billing that asks users to pay for the volume of water they use. Consider a local clothing shop paying the same amount per square footage as a restaurant with many washrooms and a busy kitchen. A more equitable metered billing system will ensure customers are paying their fair share for the water they actually use. 

Who this impacts

The change will be introduced to ICI water users and mixed-use buildings first, starting on January 1, 2027, with residential users coming in later years. We are starting with ICI customers because this group includes some of the largest water users, and most already have readable water meters installed. There are fewer residential properties with meters already installed, and many of the existing meters cannot be read remotely. This next shift will be a larger effort. 

Next steps

Mixed-use buildings, which have commercial uses on the ground floor and residential floors above, will be considered as part of the ICI customers shifting to the metered system. Generally, the municipality provides water to the whole building, and it is up to the owner or property manager to manage how it is distributed and billed.  

Staff will be bringing a draft bylaw to Council for consideration in summer 2026. Prior to that, ICI water users will receive a simple, easy-to-understand sample bill that will show how much water you used over the billing period compared to how much water you used over the same time the previous year.