How the Markham Water Bill Works for Homeowners, Buyers and Sellers

The short answer

The Markham water bill has two parties behind it. The City of Markham sets the water and wastewater rate. Alectra Utilities, the local electricity distributor, sends the invoice. For 2026 the combined rate is $5.3694 per cubic metre, which took effect on April 1, 2026.

Most owners notice the water bill only when they move, because the account has to be closed or opened with a meter reading and some advance notice. This post explains the rate, how a bill is worked out, who bills you, how to pay and what to do when you buy or sell a home in Markham.

What is the Markham water rate in 2026?

The City of Markham publishes the combined water and wastewater rate on its Rates, Meters, Billing and Fees page. For 2026 it is $5.3694 per cubic metre, effective April 1, 2026. The 2025 rate was $5.1147 per cubic metre, so the City describes the 2026 change as an increase of 4.98%.

Year	Combined water and wastewater rate	Effective
2025	$5.1147 per cubic metre	Prior year rate
2026	$5.3694 per cubic metre	April 1, 2026

A cubic metre is 1,000 litres. The rate is a single combined figure, so you are not billed one price for the water that comes in and another for the wastewater that leaves. The City’s formula is short: water usage in cubic metres multiplied by the water rate gives your combined water and wastewater charge.

How is a Markham water bill calculated?

The charge follows your meter. The meter records how much water enters your home. That volume is multiplied by the combined rate.

Here is a worked example. It is an illustration with a round number and is not based on any real home. Say a household uses 40 cubic metres of water during one billing period.

Step	Calculation	Result
Usage	40 cubic metres	40 m3
Combined charge	40 x $5.3694	$214.78

The result is rounded to the nearest cent. Your own bill will depend on your actual use and on the rate in force when you used the water.

What is the stormwater fee?

Markham also lists a separate stormwater fee on its rates page. The City says it is $56 per residential property annually and that it funds flood control infrastructure improvements.

Alectra describes the invoice as covering water, wastewater and stormwater charges on behalf of the cities it serves. Look at the line items on your own bill to see how the stormwater charge is shown for your account.

Who bills you for water in Markham?

Alectra Utilities does. Its billing page states that it invoices water and wastewater/stormwater charges on behalf of the cities of Guelph, Hamilton, Markham and Vaughan. It adds that each city sets its own water, wastewater and stormwater rates. In practice that means the rate decision is made by the City of Markham and the invoice arrives from Alectra, often on the same bill as your electricity.

Alectra has also published a notice to municipal water customers. For Markham and Vaughan it says there are no changes to water billing at this time and that more details will be shared at a later date. We have not seen a transition date for Markham, so check Alectra’s site or call them before assuming who will bill you in future. Alectra’s customer line is 1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872).

How often is the water bill issued?

The City of Markham states that water and sewer charges are billed every two months for residential accounts and monthly for commercial accounts. A typical home therefore receives six water charges a year.

How do you pay a Markham water bill?

Because Alectra sends the invoice, you pay it through Alectra. Its How to Pay My Bill page lists these options:

• Pre-authorized payments set up in My Alectra, with the amount withdrawn from your bank account.
• Online banking, by choosing Alectra Utilities as the payee at your bank.
• Telephone banking through most banks and financial institutions.
• In person at a local bank or trust company during business hours.
• Cheque or money order by mail, sent at least five days before the due date with the bill stub and account number.
• Visa, MasterCard or American Express through a third-party processor. Alectra says most customers pay a 1.49% service fee.

Check the due date printed on your own bill, since this post does not list one.

What happens to your water account when you sell a home?

Alectra’s rules for closing an account are practical and date driven.

1. Give notice. Alectra asks for seven business days of notice before you stop service.
2. Use My Alectra or the online Stop Service form.
3. Provide a final bill mailing address. Alectra requires one even if you use paperless billing. Refund cheques and correspondence after the final bill go out by mail.
4. Submit a water meter reading on your end date. Alectra says Markham and Vaughan customers must provide one.

The meter reading matters because it fixes how much water was used while you owned the home. Ask your real estate lawyer whether any utility amounts are adjusted on closing. Confirm the possession date so the reading matches it. Our post on closing day in Ontario walks through what happens on that date. If you are selling, our sellers page explains how we plan a move date around your next step.

What happens to your water account when you buy a home?

The steps mirror the seller’s. Alectra says to use the online Start Service form or My Alectra and to give seven business days of notice. Have your Canadian driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card ready. Markham customers also submit a water meter reading on their start date.

Alectra adds that an Account Setup or Change of Occupancy Fee will be applied to your first bill. We have not quoted the amount because it is not stated on the page we reviewed, so confirm it with Alectra when you book.

If you are moving between two Alectra addresses, the company describes a two step process. Stop service at the old address and start service at the new one. You receive a new account number, so any pre-authorized bank payment will need updating.

Where does the water bill sit among your other costs?

Water is one of several ongoing costs that buyers should add to their monthly budget. Property tax is the largest of the household bills and is handled by the City on a different schedule, so see our guide to the Markham property tax rate and bill. One time costs at closing are covered in closing costs when buying a home in Markham. If you are planning a purchase, our buyers page outlines how we help you work through the full cost of ownership.

Checklist before your move date

• Confirm your possession or closing date with your lawyer.
• Book Stop Service or Start Service with Alectra at least seven business days ahead.
• Read your water meter on the day you move and submit the reading.
• Give Alectra a mailing address for your final bill.
• Update pre-authorized payment details if you receive a new account number.
• Review the rate and fee details on the City of Markham’s water and sewer page before you budget.

Rates, fees and billing arrangements can change, so confirm current details with the City of Markham and Alectra Utilities. If you have questions about a purchase or sale in Markham, contact us and we will help you plan the move.