water tap faucetCity Staff has put together all the recommended by-laws for supplying water to residents through the new water meters.

Council saw that report at last night’s committee council meeting.

Deputy Mayor Sheldon Forgette says this report looked at a number of concerns that have been addressed by the water rates committee over the last few months, including a new method of dealing with frozen water pipes.

He says you can contact public works and they will advise you how to proceed forward and what your payments would be.

Forgette says they can view the history of a particular property and whether it has had frozen pipes in the past.

He says they have also put in a “Good Neighbour Clause” which allows a neighbour to hook up their water line to a neighbour who has frozen pipes, and the “good Samaritan” will not be charged extra for their water use.

Chair of the Water Rates Committee George Maroosis says there are a couple of things residents should be aware about.

Maroosis says one by-law included is for multi-rez, industrial, and commercial owners to have a chance to lower the size of their water pipe which would get them a lower rate.

There was concern around the table about damage to a water meter and Maroosis says if it is damaged people would be held responsible for it.

He says for years people have had Hydro and Gas meters for years and they know not to tamper with it – so I expect those same people to know they shouldn’t tamper with a water meter.