Who is responsible for water meter replacement?

Responsibility for the water meter in Quebec depends on your municipality's by-law: ownership, installation, and replacement rules differ from one city to another.

Example: Quebec City (Agglomeration by-law on water meters, R.A.V.Q. 274):

• The meter is supplied by the city, but it is installed by the owner and belongs to the owner
• The owner pays for acquiring, installing, and replacing the meter; the city carries out regular maintenance at its own cost
• The owner must allow access to the meter between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday
• If the meter cannot be read for a reason attributable to the owner, the owner commits an offence and is liable to a fine for each day the offence continues, based on the meter diameter
• A bypass line may be installed if approved by the city; its valve must be sealed and kept closed except for meter maintenance or replacement

Private water meter:

• If you have installed a sub-meter (for a rental unit or secondary dwelling), it is your property
• Its maintenance and replacement are at your expense

Installation by a plumber:

• Installing the meter and modifying the piping around it are plumbing work: they must be carried out by a company holding the RBQ 15.5 contractor licence, with workers holding a CCQ competency certificate