District of Muskoka By-law 2025-49 Water and Sanitary Sewage Services User Rates
District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario
· No. 2025-49
· adopted 2025-12-15
· summary & facts
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THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA
BY-LAW 2025-49
Being a by-law to Update municipal water and sanitary
sewage services user rates
WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 9, as amended,
provides that a municipality has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural
person for the purpose of exercising its authority under the Act;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 8(1 ), as amended,
provides that sections 8 and 11 shall be interpreted broadly so as to confer broad
authority on municipalities to enable municipalities to govern their affairs as they
consider appropriate and to enhance their ability to respond to municipal issues;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 11, as amended,
provides that an upper-tier municipality may pass by-laws respecting matters within
the spheres of jurisdiction set out therein, inter alia; public utilities;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 391, as amended,
authorizes a municipality to impose fees or charges for services or activities provided
or done on behalf of it;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 80, as amended,
provides that a municipality may at reasonable times enter on land to which it supplies
a public utility, to inspect, repair, alter or disconnect the service pipe, wire, machinery,
equipment and other works; to inspect, install, repair, replace or alter a public utility
meter and for such purposes, to shut off or reduce the supply of the public utility to
the land; and, if a customer discontinues the use of a public utility on land or the
municipality lawfully decides to cease supplying the public utility to land, to shut off
the supply of the public utility; remove any property of the municipality or determine
whether the public utility has been or is being unlawfully used;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, section 81, as amended,
provides that a municipality may shut off the supply of a public utility to land if fees
and charges payable by the owners or occupants of the land for the supply of the
public utility are overdue, subject to the municipality providing reasonable notice of
the proposed shut-off to the owners and occupants of the land by personal service or
prepaid mail;
AND WHEREAS it is desirable that a portion of the costs of providing water and
sanitary sewage services be recovered from the owners and/or occupants of
premises connected to the municipal water and sanitary sewage systems;
AND WHEREAS by By-law 2024-33, as amended by By-law 2024-55 and By-law
2025-01, various user rates for water and sanitary sewage services were established;
AND WHEREAS it is desirable that the water and sanitary sewage user rates be
updated;
THEREFORE the Council of The District Municipality of Muskoka ENACTS AS
FOLLOWS:
A.
Interpretation
1.
In this by-law:
(a)
"business day" means any day other than Saturdays, Sundays or
statutory holidays;
(b)
"consumption quantity issue" means any discrepancy, error, oversight
or other consumption or usage quantity issue;
ii
Page 2 of By-law 2025-49
(c)
"District of Muskoka" means The District Municipality of Muskoka;
(d)
"user" includes the following persons regardless of whether or not there
is actual consumption of water, discharge of sanitary sewage or use of
the District of Muskoka's water or sanitary sewage systems:
(i)
all persons occupying and/or owning premises connected to the
District of Muskoka's water and/or sanitary sewage systems;
(ii)
all persons making connections to or requesting permission to
connect to the said systems; and
(iii)
all persons making connections to or requesting permission to
make use of fire hydrants; and
(e)
"Light Commercial" means commercial properties which:
(i)
are supplied or would be supplied with a 16mm (5/8") or 19mm
(3/4") meter; and(ii) demonstrate an average monthly water
consumption of 30m3 or less, based on most recent twelve (12)
months of metered data or a minimum of three (3) consecutive
months of metered consumption where twelve (12) months of
data are unavailable.
All other uses shall be "other non-metered users".
(f)
"Reasonable Hours" means 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, statutory
holidays excepted, or such other hours as may be prescribed by the
Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works for the purposes of
meter access, repairs, installation, inspection or maintenance.
B.
Fees and Charges
2.
Sanitary sewage service and water service user charges shall be and are
hereby imposed on and shall be paid by all users of District of Muskoka
sanitary sewage systems and water systems in accordance with Schedule "A"
attached hereto.
C.
Calculation and Payment
3.
(1)
All fees and charges set forth in Schedule "A" hereto, except the usage
and consumption fees set forth in Part A of Schedule "A" shall be
effective on January 1, 2026.
(2)
It is hereby acknowledged that the consumption and usage fees and
charges set forth in Part A of Schedule "A" are invoiced in arrears. The
rates described in the said sections shall be used to calculate the
amounts due on all invoices for such services issued on or after January
1, 2026, and shall continue in force until this by-law is either repealed
or superseded.
4.
The rates and charges set forth in Schedule "A" inclusive hereto, are fixed as
the rates or charges for the respective work, service and activities shown
thereon, commencing in accordance with section 3 herein. For the purposes
of calculating amounts due for previous time periods, the charges as
established by by-laws in force at the time the work or services were provided,
or the activity occurred shall be used.
5.
Fees and charges shall commence on the date of first supply or provision of
the services and shall continue, unless and until written notice is received by
the District of Muskoka from the user to permanently discontinue service and
such service is permanently discontinued, or the service is otherwise
permanently discontinued by the District of Muskoka. Termination of service
Page 3 of By-law 2025-49
shall not relieve the user from paying all amounts due up to and including the
date of termination.
6.
(1)
Subject to sections 6 (3) and 6 (4), the readout on the water meter shall
be determinative of the quantity of water supplied.
(2)
For greater clarity, but subject to sections 6 (3) and 6 (4), in the event
of a difference in readings between a remote reading device and the
readout on a water meter, the reading on the water meter shall be
determinative.
(3)
Sections 6 (1) and 6 (2) do not apply where a premises is, with the
consent of the District of Muskoka, unmetered.
(4)
Sections 6 ( 1) and 6 (2) do not apply where:
(a)
it has been demonstrated by way of calibration tests or
otherwise, that a water meter is faulty or inaccurate; or
(b)
there is evidence of tampering, whether it be by way of broken
seals, circumvention or disconnection of metering devices or
otherwise; or
(c)
the owner or occupant of the premises supplied, or user of the
District of Muskoka's water or sanitary sewage system is not
registered as a customer in the District of Muskoka's water
and/or sanitary sewage works billing systems.
(5)
(a)
Where an inaccurate or faulty meter is suspected by the property
owner or occupant of the premises supplied, a request may be
made to remove and test the meter by the District of Muskoka.
(b)
In the event that the meter is determined to be accurate, in
accordance with the American Water Works Association
(AWWA) standards, the meter testing fee shall apply.
(6)
Where the circumstances described in sections 6 (4)(b) apply, the user
shall, at their expense, immediately modify their plumbing to comply
with the District of Muskoka's requirements.
(7)
Where the circumstances described in section 6 (4)(c) apply, the user
shall immediately apply to the District of Muskoka for services. The
user shall pay any and all such connection and other fees as the District
of Muskoka may determine. The District of Muskoka may, in its sole
discretion, shut off the supply of services until the requirements of this
section have been met.
(8)
Where a consumption quantity issue has been discovered:
(a)
Where the user is registered as a customer in the District of
Muskoka's water and/or sanitary sewage works billing system
and the consumption quantity issue is one of a discrepancy
between a meter, and/or a meter reading device and/or a meter
invoicing, adjustments shall be made to correct consumption
amounts for a period as identified in 6 (8)(b) or (c). Under these
circumstances:
(i)
the District of Muskoka shall issue an invoice stating the
corrected amounts;
(ii)
where, based on the corrected amounts, an amount is
due the District of Muskoka, the amount shall be paid
immediately, together with interest at a rate as per 6
(8)(e); and
Page 4 of By-law 2025-49
(iii) where, based on the corrected consumption, a credit is
due the user, the District of Muskoka may in its sole
discretion credit the amount, with interest at a rate as per
6 (8)(e), to the user's next bills until the credit is fully
utilized or issue a lump sum refund.
(b)
where the user is registered as a customer in the District of
Muskoka's water and/or sanitary sewage works billing system
and where the consumption quantity issue is as a result of a
faulty or inaccurate meter and the actual consumption is
unknown, the corrected consumption for the purposes of
determining amounts due shall be calculated on the basis of
the average consumption for three (3) months after a correct
meter has been installed, applied retroactively for a maximum
of a two (2) year period.
Credits in favour of the user or
amounts due the District of Muskoka, if any, shall be processed
in accordance with section 6 (8)(a).
(c)
where the user is registered as a customer in the District of
Muskoka's water and/or sanitary sewage works billing system
and where the consumption quantity issue is as a result of an
inaccurate meter or billing adjustment and the actual
consumption can be determined, adjustments shall be made to
correct the consumption amounts for the period between the
date the discrepancy is corrected and the later of the following:
(i)
date of commencement of water and sewer services; or
(ii)
date the current meter was installed.
Credits in favour of the user or amounts due the District of
Muskoka, if any, shall be processed in accordance with section
6 (8)(a).
(d)
where the user is not registered as a customer, the amount due
the District of Muskoka shall be calculated on the higher of the
following:
(i)
the average use of similar premises for the period
commencing on the date the usage commenced and
continuing until payment is received by the District of
Muskoka, together with interest at a rate as per 6 (8)(e);
or
(ii)
an amount calculated in accordance with section 6 (8)(b);
or
(iii) the corresponding flat rate applicable to the time period in
question.
(e)
Interest indicated in Section 6 (8)(a) and (d) will be calculated
as per the following:
(i)
interest will be calculated at a rate equal to the prime rate
charged by Muskoka's bank. The rate for each calendar
year shall be equal to the rate at the close of business on
January 2nd of the year and shall apply for the entire year.
(ii)
in this section, the words "Muskoka's bank" mean the
bank with whom The District Municipality of Muskoka
transacts the majority of its business.
Page 5 of By-law 2025-49
7.
All amounts are due on or before the due date specified in the billing date in
the invoice. Every user shall pay the full amount of the rates and charges
invoiced on or before the due date shown on the billing invoice.
8.
Where an amount due is not paid on or before the due date, a late payment
surcharge in an amount equal to five (5) percent of the invoiced amount,
together with any and all expenses the District of Muskoka may have incurred
in collecting the amounts due shall be paid by the user.
9.
In addition to other collection methods available at law, where an amount
owing for water and/or sanitary sewage services remains unpaid after the due
date, the said amount may be added to the tax roll for the property to which
services are supplied and collected in the same manner as municipal taxes in
accordance with section 398 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25,
as amended. All such amounts added to the tax roll shall have priority lien
status in accordance with 0. Reg. 581/06, as amended from time to time.
D.
Termination of Services
(a)
For Violations
10.
(1)
In addition to other remedies available at law, the District of Muskoka
may shut off the supply of water to any premises without notice where a user
is in violation of:
a.
any provisions of any of the District of Muskoka's by-laws
regulating connections to and/or the use of the District of
Muskoka's water and/or sanitary sewage systems.
b.
any provisions of the Building Code Act, 1992, that results in an
order prohibiting occupancy of an unsafe building.
(2)
Where the water service is shut off pursuant to section 10 ( 1) a shut off
fee in accordance with section E. 10 of Schedule "A" shall be
immediately due and payable by the user.
(3)
Where service is restored after it is shut off in accordance with section
1O ( 1) a service restoration (turn-on) fee in accordance with section E.
of Schedule "A" shall be immediately due and payable by the person
requesting restoration of service.
(b)
For Non-payment
11.
Pursuant to section 81 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, as
amended, the District of Muskoka may, subject to section 13 of this by-law,
shut off or restrict the supply of water to any premises of a user where an
amount payable to the District of Muskoka by such user for water service,
sanitary sewage service, and/or other charges, expenses or fees under this
by-law remains unpaid more than thirty days after such amount was due and
payable.
12.
( 1)
Prior to terminating service for non-payment, a reminder notice shall be
forwarded to the user by ordinary mail at the last known billing address.
The reminder notice shall be deemed to have been received by the user
on the fifth business day after the date the notice is mailed.
(2)
If full payment is not received within 10 business days of the date
appearing on the reminder notice, a disconnection notice shall be given
in accordance with section 12 (3). On issuance of a disconnection
notice in accordance with this section, a disconnection notice charge in
accordance with section E. of Schedule "A" shall be added to the
amount due and shall be immediately due and payable. If full payment
is not received by the District of Muskoka within five (5) business days
Page 6 of By-law 2025-49
after the date the disconnection notice is received or deemed to have
been received by the user, service may be terminated (shut off).
(3)
Disconnection notices under section 12 (2) may be served on the
user by forwarding the notice by ordinary mail to the user at the
last known billing address.
The method of service shall be in the sole discretion of the District of
Muskoka.
(4)
(a)
A disconnection notice served in accordance with section 12
(3)(i) shall be deemed to have been received by the user on the
fifth business day after the date of mailing regardless of whether
or not the user actually collects or receives the ordinary mail.
(5)
Where water service is shut off for non-payment, or the District of
Muskoka is on site for the purpose of shutting off water services due to
non-payment, a shut off fee in accordance with section E. of Schedule
"A" shall be added to the amount due and shall be due and payable
immediately.
(6)
(a)
Where service is restored after being shut off a service
restoration (turn-on) fee in accordance with section E. of
Schedule "A" shall be added to any amounts already due and
shall be immediately due and payable.
(b)
The District of Muskoka may in its sole discretion require that the
service restoration fee described in section 12 (6)(a) be paid
prior to service being restored.
E.
Supply - Installation - Ownership - Replacement
14.
The District of Muskoka may shutoff or restrict the supply of water to a
property if the District of Muskoka requires access to the property to install,
replace, repair, read or inspect a water meter. Any person authorized by the
Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works may enter and access any
property serviced by municipal water services during reasonable hours and
upon notice as set out in section 15, to all parts of the premises to which any
water service is supplied for the purpose of inspecting or repairing, or of
altering or disconnecting, within or without the building, or for placing meters
upon any water service or connection within or without the building as he/she
considers expedient and for that purpose or for the purpose of protecting or
regulating the use of the meter, may set it or alter the position of it.
15.
Notice required - access
Before shutting off or restricting the supply of water, except where specifically
authorized elsewhere in this by-law, the District of Muskoka shall,
(a)
by personal service or by registered mail, serve the owners and
occupants of the premises as shown on the last returned
assessment roll of the municipality with a notice of the date upon
which the District of Muskoka intends to shut off or restrict the supply
of water if access to the property is not obtained before that date;
(b)
ensure that a copy of the notice described in clause (a) is securely
attached to the premises in a conspicuous place.
16.
No shut off - reasonable effort - gain access
The District of Muskoka shall not shut off or restrict the supply of water unless
it has made reasonable efforts to gain access to the premises and has been
unable to gain access within fourteen (14) days after the later of,
Page 7 of By-law 2025-49
(c)
the day the last notice under part (a) of section 15. of this by-law
was personally served;
(d)
the day the last notice under part (a) of section 15. of this by
law was mailed; and,
( e)
the day a copy of the notice was attached under part (b) of section
15. of this by- law.
General
17.
Except for the purposes of establishing the fees and charges payable prior to
the fees and charges set forth in this by-law being applicable, By-law 2024-33,
By-law 2024-55 and By-law 2025-01 shall be and are hereby repealed
effective January 1, 2026.
18.
This by-law shall come into force and take effect on January 1, 2026.
Enacted and Passed this 15th day of December, 2025.
THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA
Per: ~
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Page 8 of By-law 2025-49
Schedule "A" to By-law 2025-XX
Water and Wastewater User Rates
A. Consumption Fees
For premises in which a water meter permit has been paid/issued, and/or a water
meter has been installed, the water user charge shall be calculated as the sum of a
monthly basic service charge and a consumption charge.
Installed Water Meter (monthly basic service charge)
Rate
Less than 25mm ( 1 ") meter
$24.62
25 mm ( 1 ") meter
$45.09
38mm (1.5") meter
$82.64
50 mm (2") meter
$112.73
75 mm (3") meter
$358.74
100mm ( 4") meter or larger
$459.17
The consumption component shall be calculated on the basis of the
volume of water supplied to the premises multiplied by the following
factor: Rate/per m3.
$2.2295
For premises in which a water meter has not been installed or the water meter has
not functioned for reasons other than disconnection or external damage or
modifications, the fixed monthly rates shall be as follows:
No Water Meter Installed (monthly service charge)
Rate
$113.79
Other Non-metered Users Cost per Equivalent Residential Unit
Residential and Light Commercial Users
$113. 79/ERU
(ERU). Number of ERU as determined by District
For premises which are connected to both water and sanitary sewage systems
and/or a water meter permit has been paid/issued, sanitary sewage service user
charges shall be calculated as the sum of a monthly basic service charge and a
consumption charge, as applicable.
Wastewater rates for Water Meter Size (monthly basic
service charge)
Rate
Less than 25mm (1 ") meter
$7.69
25mm (1 ") meter
$12.31
38mm (1.5") meter
$31.44
50mm (2") meter
$42.60
75mm (3") meter
$127.67
100mm (4") meter or laroer
$164.16
Consumption/m3
$2.9580
Wastewater Rates for Non-Metered (fixed monthly rates)
Residential and Light Commercial Users
Rate
$130.42
Other Non-metered Users Cost per Equivalent Residential Unit
(ERU). Number of ERU as determined by District
$130.42/ERU
B. Connection Fees (permit required)
Connection Fees
Rate
New Water/Wastewater Account
$39.00
Final Meter Reading
$45.00
Service Connection - any size
Actual Cost
Application for Permit to Connect - per service (Where an
applicant wishes to connect to both water and sanitary sewage
systems at the same time, only a single permit application fee
$78.00
shall be payable.)
Page 9 of By-law 2025-49
Connection Fees
Rate
Meter/service tampering - for those who turn their own water on
without inspection/reporting, are found to have bypassed their
meter or have made unauthorized connections.
$5,000.00
Temporary Water Service - Low Volume Users
Rate
First Two Weeks (minimum charge)
$75.00
$47.00
Per Week Thereafter
Unscheduled service (all times)
C. Meter Purchase and Inspection Fees (permit required)
Meter Purchase and Inspection
To provide a 16mm (5/8") diameter meter and radio read device
(no installation) and inspect after installation
Rate
$506.00
To provide a water meter, including radio read device (no
installation), other than that described above
Actual Cost
D. Hydrant Maintenance Fees
Hydrant Maintenance
Rate
Municipal Hydrant (Annual)
$85.00
Private Hydrant (Post firefighting event)
Actual Cost
Additional Hydrant Installation
Actual Cost
Connection Fee
Actual Cost
Hydrant Maintenance - Non-Firefighting Use (each bulk
water filling station)
Rate
Per Day per hydrant/bulk water station, plus usage/m3
$135.00 + $2.2295/m3
Per Season (3 months) per bulk water station or one
hydrant, plus usage/m3
$944.00 + $2.2295/m3
Per Non-Freezing Season, plus usage/m3
$1,904.00 + $2.2295/m3
Per Year per hydrant/bulk water station, plus usage/m3
$2,382.00 + $2.2295/m3
*The connection fee includes the installation and removal of a valve and meter.
E. Other Fees
Request for Property Servicing Information
Rate
$65.00
Excludes field work
$133.00
Includes field work
*Once fee is paid, a completed form with service information will be returned within
5 working days.
Tests and Inspections
Rate
Water Service Only Inspection Fee
$572.00
Sanitary Sewage Only Inspection Fee
$626.40
Inspection of both water and sewer services
$910.00
Meter Service Fee - determined customer issue ( cut meter wire,
frozen meter, damaged meter/MXU)
Actual Cost
Inspect and/or test a16mm (5/8") meter- if found to be
functioning correctly
$119.00
Page 1 Oof By-law 2025-49
Tests and Inspections
Rate
Inspect and/or test a 16mm (5/8") meter not functioning
properly due to external damage or misuse
$106.00 + cost of
new meter
Inspect or test a 16mm (5/8") meter if not functioning properly
due to reasons other than above
No Charge
Third party testing of any meter or to inspect or test all other
water meters except those outlined above
Actual Cost
Missed Appointment (on site)
$112.00
Thawino of frozen water service ($300 deposit required)
Actual Cost
Replace/repair frozen water meter
Actual Cost
Tapping Fee (excluding water service parts)
Rate
Actual Cost
Water Service Tapping Fee(< or equal to 50mm (2") diameter)
Water Service Tapping Fee (> 50mm (2") diameter)
Actual Cost
Other Fees
Rate
Water and Wastewater Modeling
Actual Cost
Water Permit Amendments - Form 1 Drinking Water System
Application Review
Actual Cost
Performing a Sewer Dye test
$119.00
Environmental records search
$130.00
Environmental Compliance Approvals
Fees as set by the
Ministry of the
Environment
Sewer spill response/incident
Actual cost
Disposal of sand and grit removed from sanitary sewers
(minimum chan::ie)
$613.00/m3
Disconnection Notice Charge
$46.00
Shut Off Fee for Shut Off due to Violation
$119.00
Pre-scheduled Service Restoration if Service was shut off for
violation During Working Hours
$119.00
Unscheduled Service Restoration if Service was shut off for
violation (All Times)
$265.00
The Commissioner of Finance and Corporate Services and Chief Administrative
Officer shall be and are hereby delegated authority to waive late payment
surcharges in extraordinary circumstances during which the timely delivery of
notices and payment information is compromised.
Users who are enrolled in the Pre-Authorized Debit Plan or who pay a bill with a
cheque, which is returned by the bank as non-sufficient funds (N.S.F.) will be
charged an administration fee as outlined in the District of Muskoka's General User
Fees, Charges and Rates By-law, as amended.
Late payment surcharge -·five (5) percent of the invoiced amount, together with any
and all expenses the District of Muskoka may have incurred in collecting the
amounts due.
End of Schedule