Residents will begin receiving their first Norfolk Water Billing early March 2027. Norfolk County will issue water bills on a bi-monthly basis (6 bills per year). Your final ERTH issued water bill will be issued in January 2027.
Water and Wastewater Billing Update
Starting in 2027, Norfolk County is changing how water and wastewater bills are managed.
Why water and wastewater billing is changing
In June 2025, Norfolk County Council approved a plan to bring water and wastewater billing back under County control. This means Norfolk County staff will manage water billing in-house rather than using ERTH, an external provider.
What this change means to residents
Billing schedule
When Norfolk County moves water and wastewater billing in‑house in February 2027 (including bulk water), billing will change to a bi-monthly cycle, meaning you will receive a bill every other month.
Equal monthly payment option
If you prefer to pay monthly, you can choose to sign up for pre‑authorized payments, including an equal monthly payment plan. This helps spread out costs and avoid larger bills every two months.
Sign up for pre-authorized payments
eBilling (paperless billing)
With eBilling, your bill will be delivered straight to your email, making it fast and reliable. You can sign up for eBilling online or through your Virtual County Hall account.
If you choose to keep receiving paper bills, a paper billing fee will apply to cover printing and mailing costs.
Benefits for residents: Better access to account information
With the transition to in‑house water and wastewater billing, the property owner will be listed as the main account holder on all water and wastewater accounts. This is based on the ownership information provided by Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
The property owner can add a second person, such as a tenant or family member, to the account so they can view billing information. The owner can also choose where the bill is sent, including a different mailing address or email, by providing written instructions to Norfolk County.
For rental properties, this change means landlords will have direct access to account information and will be notified before any unpaid amounts are added to the property tax bill. This helps ensure owners are aware of balances and can address issues earlier.
Online account access
Water and wastewater account information will be viewable online through Virtual County Hall (VCH). In VCH, you can update your contact information, sign up for eBilling, and manage your property tax account, all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Transition
When will my first Norfolk Water bill be issued?
ERTH will issue their last bills in January 2027. Payments can be made to ERTH up to January 27, 2027. Any amounts outstanding past this date will be transferred to Norfolk County.
Do not pay ERTH after January 27, 2027.
Will my account details remain the same?
No, your account details will change for water billing as outlined below:
- Account Number: You will receive a new account number issued by Norfolk for your Norfolk water account. Use this account number for online payment.
- Account Holder: Norfolk County will issue bills to property owners only. Tenant held accounts with ERTH will convert to the Property Owner. Property owners can add a secondary account holder (i.e., a tenant) to their water account by completing the authorization form.
Do I need to sign up for pre-authorized payments (PAP) with the County?
If you were enrolled with ERTH for pre-authorized payment and wish to continue to make pre-authorized water billing payments, you must re-enroll with Norfolk County using the pre-authorized payment form. Please complete form as soon as possible to ensure continued enrollment.
Does Norfolk County offer eBilling?
Yes. eBilling offers a secure and reliable method to receive your water bill. Norfolk County also provides an eBilling incentive for those that enroll. If you were enrolled with ERTH for eBilling and wish to continue to receive your bills electronically, you must re-enroll with Norfolk County either:
- Using the eBilling form
Or
Please complete sign up as soon as possible to ensure continued enrollment.
Billing & Payment Information
When will my first Norfolk Water bill be issued?
Residents will begin receiving their first Norfolk Water Billing early March 2027. Norfolk County will issue water bills on a bi-monthly basis (6 bills per year). Your final ERTH issued water bill will be issued in January 2027.
A late payment charge of 1.25% per month (15% per annum, non-compounding) will be charged on the first day of default on the first of each month.
Norfolk will issue reminder notices at 30 and 45 days past due for any outstanding balance. At 60 days past due, any amounts outstanding will be transferred to the property tax account. Fees for each collection step, as set out in the County’s user fee by-law, will apply.
Will my water and wastewater rates change?
No, the transition to Norfolk issued water bills will not change the rates from what was Council approved previously as part of the annual rate budget. Water and wastewater rates are set annually by Norfolk County Council. Please see previous rate budgets for more information.
Due to the change from monthly to bi-monthly billing, your basic charge and consumption will now be based on two months instead of one month.
For example, you have a 15 mm meter size and use 10 cubic meters of water per month:
| Monthly Bill | Bi-Monthly Bill | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Basic Charges | Usage Charges | Total | Basic Charges | Usage Charges | Total |
| 1 | $90.27 | $60.02 | $150.29 | |||
| 2 | $90.27 | $60.02 | $150.29 | $180.54 | $120.04 | $300.58 |
| 3 | $90.27 | $60.02 | $150.29 | |||
| 4 | $90.27 | $60.02 | $150.29 | $180.54 | $120.04 | $300.58 |
| Total | $361.08 | $240.08 | $601.16 | $361.08 | $240.08 | $601.16 |
For more information on water and wastewater rates please read the County's Water and Wastewater Rates By-law.
ERTH will issue their last bills in January 2027. Payments can be made to ERTH up to January 27, 2027. Any amounts outstanding past this date will be transferred to Norfolk County.
Do not pay ERTH after January 27, 2027.
How can I make payment to Norfolk for my water bill?
There are a variety of ways that payments can be made on your water account. These include:
- Enrolling in pre-authorized payments (PAP).
- Payment at a Canadian financial institution (or ATM), telephone or online banking
- Add payee “Norfolk County Water”
- If Norfolk County Water is not currently listed as a payee with your bank, please use one of the other available payment options until it has been added to your bank.
- Credit card payments through a Norfolk County authorized online payment provider.
- For more information on setting up your online account please visit norfolkcounty.ca/VCH
- For more information on setting up your online account please visit norfolkcounty.ca/VCH
- Mailed cheques only. No post-dated cheques will be processed. Any cheque payment received will be processed on the date received.
- Cheques should be sent to the following address:
Norfolk County
50 Colborne St S.
Simcoe, ON N3Y 4H3
- Cheques should be sent to the following address:
The change to a bi-monthly billing cycle means that bills are issued every other month (6 bills per year). If you are concerned about paying a higher amount every other month you can enroll in a monthly pre-authorized payment plan so that you can continue to make payments monthly.
If you cannot enroll in a pre-authorized payment plan you may still make payments toward your account each month through any of the payment options available.
What happens if I don’t pay my water bill?
Water billing charges that are left unpaid can be transferred to the property owner’s property tax account once they are 60 days past due.
What services are included on my water bill?
Your water bill can include water and wastewater services.
Water: Drinking water that is delivered to your home. This includes a basic charge as well as consumption charge based on your usage.
Wastewater: Water used in your home that is collected and treated. This includes a basic charge as well as a charge based on usage.
For more information on water and wastewater rates please, please read the County's Water and Wastewater Rates By-law.
How is my water usage measured?
Water usage is measured by a water meter installed at your property and is recorded in cubic meters.
Yes. You’ll see new branding and a new bill layout including your new Norfolk water account number.
Why is my bill higher than normal?
High bills are often caused by leaks or increased seasonal use. If you suspect you have a leak contact Norfolk County as soon as possible at 519-426-5870.
