All City of Toronto water meters have been tested for accuracy by the manufacturer. The City of Toronto also randomly tests new meters as they arrive.
An increase in the water charges on your utility bill can be due to a number of reasons, including leaks. See how to spot a leak. You can also contact 311 to have a representative from Revenue Services review your account with you.
If you have checked for leaks, discussed your bill with 311 staff, and remain concerned about the accuracy of your meter, you can request a meter accuracy test. There may be a fee depending the result of the test.
Meter Accuracy Test
- City staff will remove your meter and replace it with a new one. They will also reprogram the transmitter that sends water use data to the City.
- Staff will take your meter to a Toronto Water test facility to be checked for accuracy.
- Water meters contain a disk that revolves inside a chamber, much like an odometer on your car.
- As water passes through the chamber, the disk turns to track your water use.
- During the test, staff will run water through your meter at different volumes and check the amount of water registered on your meter against the amount of water used.
- All results will be documented and meters will be held in storage for three months.
Results and Test Fees
Results will be mailed to you within three to four weeks:
- If the meter is found to be over registering, the City will credit your account based on the amount it is over registering. This credit will appear on your next utility bill.
- If the test indicates that the meter is under registering or registering accurately, you will be charged a meter testing fee on your next bill. This fee is set by Toronto City Council on an annual basis.
How to Book a Test
Please contact 416-338-1616 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
