The City of Castlegar will charge a flat rate to any homeowners who refuse to have a water meter installed. That’s less than 4% of homes.
2,500 devices have already been installed with another 150 set to go in.
Director of Civic Works Chris Barlow says the meters that are hooked up are collecting monthly readings and that information will be used for many things before the program goes online.
Barlow says they’ll continue a mock billing period this year before residents will see a portion of their bills reflect water consumption levels in 2016.
The program may be ready for full implementation by 2017.