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Low-income water bill relief in Barrie
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Eligible Barrie households can receive a water-bill credit for six billing cycles. The credit is up to 40% of the bill, capped at $60 per cycle.
Key information
Eligible Barrie households can receive a water-bill credit for six billing cycles. The credit is up to 40% of the bill, capped at $60 per cycle. The account must be in the applicant’s name, and applications are renewed each year.
On this page
At a glance
| Task | Key detail |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for water-bill relief? | You must be a permanent, full-time Barrie resident with a current residential water and wastewater account in your own name. |
| What limits apply to larger households? | The page lists $65,892 for five people, $74,315 for six and $82,739 for seven, with $8,424 for each additional person. |
| Can I apply when my account is already overdue? | Yes. |
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie · Water/Wastewater Billing | City of Barrie
In-person service location
Service Barrie at City Hall
70 Collier Street, Barrie, Ontario
Service Barrie is the city’s in-person customer-service counter. Use the relevant guide’s appointment, document and payment rules for the task you are completing.
- Location
- City Hall, first floor
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie · Water/Wastewater Billing | City of Barrie
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie · Water/Wastewater Billing | City of Barrie
Eligibility, credit amounts and household income
Who can apply for water-bill relief?
You must be a permanent, full-time Barrie resident with a current residential water and wastewater account in your own name. The property must be your principal home, which you may own or rent. Your total household income must meet the city’s published limits.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
How much support is available?
An approved credit cannot exceed 40% of the water and wastewater bill or $60 per billing cycle, whichever limit applies first. Approval covers the next six bills. Residential bills are issued every two months, and the program requires a new application each year.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
What income limits apply to small households?
The published before-tax limits are $31,264 for one person, $38,922 for two, $47,851 for three and $58,096 for four. Household income means the combined Line 15000 amounts on the residents’ CRA Notices of Assessment or Reassessment. Limits may change.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Documents and application routes
What limits apply to larger households?
The page lists $65,892 for five people, $74,315 for six and $82,739 for seven, with $8,424 for each additional person. Count the people living at the residence and use combined before-tax household income, not only the water-account holder’s income.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Which documents and numbers do I need?
Have the previous year’s CRA Notice of Assessment or Reassessment, your water account number and property-tax roll number ready. These are different account identifiers. Call 705-726-4242 if you need help completing the application or confirming the documents required for your household.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
How do I submit an application?
Apply online, or obtain a paper form from Service Barrie. Completed paper forms can be emailed to water.relief@barrie.ca, delivered to City Hall at 70 Collier Street, or mailed to the City Finance Department, P.O. Box 400, Barrie, ON L4M 4T5.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Arrears, tenants, moves and yearly renewal
Can I apply when my account is already overdue?
Yes. Arrears do not automatically disqualify an applicant. The credit is not retroactive, and a current-year credit is applied to the outstanding balance. Applying does not cancel existing arrears or replace the need to address unpaid charges with the city.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Can a landlord apply for an eligible tenant?
No. The tenant must apply, and the residential water account must be in the tenant’s name. A landlord’s account does not satisfy this condition merely because the tenant has a low income. Confirm the account arrangement before submitting documents.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
What if I have not yet received the newest tax assessment notice?
If applying before the April 30 income-tax deadline, the city allows an assessment notice from two years earlier. The previous year’s notice must then be supplied by June 1 to continue the credit. This is a temporary document rule, not a permanent waiver.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
What happens if I move or reach my sixth bill?
An existing approval can transfer to another Barrie address for the time left in its one-year approval period. After the sixth bill, the city recommends applying again promptly. Review the current income limits and documents each year rather than assuming automatic renewal.
Source: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie
Sources: Low-Income Household Water/Wastewater Relief Application | City of Barrie