Commercial Meter FAQs

Q: Who do we contact to get a water meter installed?
A: Any certified plumber will be able to install your water meter. The plumber will also need to have the necessary certification to supply and install and test backflow prevention devices.

Q: Do we need to get a plumbing permit?
Yes; a plumbing permit will be required from the Town

Q: Are there different types or brands of meters?
A: Although there are different brands of meters, the Town requires the installation of Neptune meters with remote reading capabilities. The Town needs to endeavour to have only one brand of meter to ensure that all the meters can be read remotely by Town equipment. Your plumber will also be able to tell you what type and size of Neptune meter that you will need, based on the water service size and required water flow for your business.

Q: What if my business already has a water meter installed? Will I need to change it to a Neptune meter?
A: If you have a functioning water meter already installed, it may be possible to just change the register on the meter to make it compatible with Town equipment. If this conversion is not possible, the Town will permit the old meter to remain in place.

Q: How do we register our meter(s) - (so you know we've done it)?
A: Your plumber will need to provide documentation to the Town’s building inspector as requirement of their plumbing permit

Q: What is the approximate cost for a meter and backflow prevention device installation?
A: Installations will have different costs based upon size of water service, type of meter, and type of backflow prevention device, as well as where it needs to be installed. You will need to contact your plumber for a detailed cost.

Q: Where is the meter and cross connection control installed?
A: The Town prefers to have the meters and cross connection control device installed on the water service outside in a below-ground pit at the property line. However, configurations of water service to a building may not permit this. You plumber will need to discuss options with the Director of Engineering or the building inspector if this is the case.

Q: If I own a commercial building, do I need a meter for each separately leased office/business?
A: The Town does not require individual leased units to be metered as long as the main service serving all units is metered. It is up to individual owners to determine equitable sharing of water usage.

Q: What about churches ... are those included in the "institutional businesses" category?
A: Many businesses, and institutions are already metered. The Town is requiring all water users to be metered, so yes churches will be required to install a meter as well.

Q: Will the Town be metering its own water use?
A: The Town will be leading by example and its water use will be metered and accounted for as well.

Contact Information: 
Director of Engineering
Dave Newman

Phone: 604.886.2274
Fax: 604.886.9735
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Location and Mailing Address
474 South Fletcher Road
Box 340
Gibsons, BC  V0N 1V0

Business Hours
8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).