Peel Region bills Mississauga water, and its High Water Bill Adjustment Program credits 50% of the extra water used after a leak is fixed, up to $12,500. You must apply within 90 days of the bill date.
A toilet that hisses after you flush, or a tap that drips overnight, can quietly double a water bill before you notice. In Mississauga the bill comes from Peel Region, not the City, and Peel has a program built for exactly this. It is not automatic, and it has rules that trip people up. Here is how it works, in the order you will meet each step.
Does your bill qualify?
Peel lists the conditions on its High Water Bill Adjustment Program page. The main ones for a house or other single-unit home with a Peel residential water account:
- Your usage this billing period is at least 2.5 times what you used in the same period last year.
- The account is paid up, apart from the high bill under review.
- A qualifying leak caused the high bill, and the leak is fixed and your usage is back to normal.
- You apply within 90 days of the bill date.
- The home was not empty for 10 or more days in a row during the high-bill period.
- You have not had a high-bill credit on this account in the past five years.
Meeting every point does not guarantee approval. Peel says answering yes to its screening questions does not mean you are automatically approved.
Which leaks count
Peel's page names malfunctioning toilets, leaking indoor faucets, water softener failures and burst or broken pipes. What it does not cover is use, even heavy use: leaving a hose or tap running, filling a pool, watering the lawn, more people living in the home, or construction work. A flapper that never seals fits the program. A hose left on overnight does not.
How the credit is calculated
This is where the common summary is wrong. The credit is not half of the whole bill. Peel takes your usage for the high-bill period, subtracts your usage for the same period last year, and credits 50% of the difference, to a maximum of $12,500. Peel's own example: 50 cubic metres last year and 150 this year leaves 100 extra, so the credit applies to 50 cubic metres. The rates on your bill are used to price it.
Two details matter. The credit lands on your account against future bills, and Peel states it will not be paid out as cash. And your high bill is still due on its date while the application is pending. If you need time, Peel's Utility Receivables team handles payment plans.
Fix the leak first, then collect the proof
The program only works after the leak is stopped, so the repair comes first. Keep paperwork from the start:
- Find the cause. For a toilet, a few drops of food colouring in the tank will show colour in the bowl without a flush if the flapper is leaking. Peel also takes calls about the cause of a high bill at 905-791-8711.
- Repair it and get a document. Peel asks for a plumber's invoice or receipts for repair materials. Each must show the repair date, the work done, the materials used, the cost, and the business name and contact details. If you fixed it yourself, proof is still required.
- Take two meter readings. With last year's history on file, take them 12 to 24 hours apart. Without it, take them at least two weeks apart. Email both to Peel after the repair.
- Apply online within 90 days of the bill date, and email the documents to highbillprogram@peelregion.ca.
Peel says it decides within 15 days after all required documents arrive. If you do not qualify, ask Utility Receivables about other options.
Why a plumber's invoice is worth having
A bare receipt for a fill valve can be enough, but an invoice that names the date and the work leaves less to argue about. Plumbing is a compulsory trade in Ontario, so for anything past a simple fixture part, such as a leaking pipe or a failing supply line, use a licensed plumber and keep the invoice. Our guide on checking a contractor's licence shows how to confirm one.
Quick answers
How much will Peel credit me for a leaky toilet?
Peel credits 50% of the extra water you used compared with the same billing period last year, up to $12,500. The credit goes on your account, not back to you as cash.
How long do I have to apply for Peel's high water bill credit?
You have 90 days from the date on the high bill to submit the online application. Peel reviews requests in the order received, so don't send duplicates.
What proof of repair does Peel want for a running toilet?
Peel wants a plumber's invoice or receipts for repair materials, showing the repair date, work done, materials, cost and business details. Fixing it yourself still needs that proof, plus two meter readings.
Can I get the credit more than once?
No, Peel allows one eligible high-water bill per water account every five years. If one leak caused several high bills, only one of them gets a credit.
Who can fix the toilet or tap before I apply to Peel?
A licensed plumber can repair the fixture and give you the invoice Peel asks for. Rhodex can also match you with a vetted craftsman at https://rhodex.ca/get-a-quote.html?from=peel-water-bill-adjustment-running-toilet-mississauga.
Check the date on the bill today
The 90-day clock starts at the bill date, not the day you spot the leak. If a bill looks wrong, fix the fixture this week, keep every receipt, and send the application while you still have time to spare.
Related reading
- Home repair and renovation in Mississauga
- Toilet repair and installation
- Checking a Pre-1960 Mississauga Home for a Lead Water Pipe
- How to check a contractor's licence in Ontario
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