Here's What Homeowners Need to Know
If you own a home in Hamilton—or are planning to buy or sell in the area—there’s an important utility change on the horizon that you should be aware of.
Starting April 1, 2026, the way Hamilton residents receive and pay their water bills will officially change.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s happening, who it affects, and what homeowners need to do to avoid service disruptions or late fees.
Why Is Hamilton’s Water Billing Changing?
Since 2017, Alectra Utilities has handled water billing for the City of Hamilton following the merger of Horizon Utilities with several other municipal providers. Alectra currently serves 17 Ontario communities, including Hamilton, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, and St. Catharines.
However, Alectra informed the City of Hamilton back in 2021 that it would no longer continue water billing services once its contract expired. While the agreement was temporarily extended, Alectra’s role in water billing officially ends March 31, 2026.
Who Is Taking Over Water Billing?
As of April 1, 2026, the City of Hamilton’s newly established Hamilton Utilities Billing (HUB) team will take over:
- Water meter reading
- Water billing
- Water-related customer service
It’s important to note that Alectra will continue handling electricity services, and electricity account numbers and payment methods will remain unchanged.
Important: Pre-Authorized Water Payments Must Be Re-Enrolled
This change directly affects approximately 55,000 Hamilton residents who currently pay their water bills through pre-authorized debit (PAD) with Alectra.
If you are one of them, your water bill payments will NOT automatically transfer to the new system.
What You Need To Do:
- Re-enroll for pre-authorized payments with Hamilton Utilities Billing
- Deadline:
- Recommended by March 1, 2026
- Transition officially occurs April 1, 2026
The city recommends enrolling by March 1 to allow enough processing time and avoid missed payments.
What Happens If You Don’t Re-Enroll?
If you don’t sign up for pre-authorized payments by the deadline:
- You’ll need to pay your water bill manually using another payment method
- Late or missed payments may result in late fees or collection activity
How Will Residents Be Notified?
The City of Hamilton has already begun outreach, including:
- Automated phone calls sent in December
- Mailers explaining the upcoming change and enrollment process
- A welcome letter arriving by mail in February 2026 with further transition details
How to Sign Up for Pre-Authorized Payments
- The pre-authorized payment form is available on the City of Hamilton’s website
- Completed forms can be:
- Mailed to Hamilton Utilities Billing, or
- Emailed to: [email protected]
Online Accounts Coming Soon
After April 1, 2026, Hamilton residents will also be able to:
- Create and manage their water billing account online at
myhub.hamilton.ca
This will allow for easier access to billing details, payment history, and account management.
Why This Matters for Homeowners and Buyers
Utility billing transitions like this can easily be missed—especially during a move. If you’re buying or selling a home in Hamilton, it’s important to:
- Confirm how water bills are being paid
- Update billing information after closing
- Ensure no payments are missed during ownership changes
Staying on top of these details helps avoid unnecessary fees and keeps your home running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Hamilton’s transition to Hamilton Utilities Billing is a major operational shift, but with a bit of preparation, it should be seamless for most homeowners. If you currently pay your water bill through Alectra’s pre-authorized payments, make sure re-enrollment is on your calendar before March 1, 2026.
If you’re buying or selling a home in Hamilton and have questions about utilities, closing costs, or ownership responsibilities, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help guide you through the process.