With regard to wastewater, all raw sewage is pumped to the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), which is a class III Wastewater Collection Facility. The sanitary collection system is a class II Wastewater Collection system.
Water & Wastewater
Safe, Clean Water
Water is delivered through a carefully managed system of treatment facilities, pumping stations, and distribution lines. Ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and strict adherence to regulatory standards ensure reliable service, high-quality water, and the protection of public health and the environment.
Maintenance & Distribution
The Town of Wasaga Beach is proud of the water quality in our community and make every effort to ensure the Water and Sewer infrastructure is well maintained and supported.
The Town of Wasaga Beach is responsible for the maintenance of the Class III Water Distribution and Supply Subsystem. The Town has two well sites and water treatment facilities, operated by Ontario Clean Water Agency. Water is stored in two elevated storage tanks with additional storage in the underground reservoir.
The Distribution System is operated and maintained by Wasaga Beach Public Works Department providing quality drinking water to approximately 18,000 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I arrange for water shut off at my cottage or seasonal residence?
The appointments are typically booked on:
- Monday, Wednesday or Friday
- 8:00 am – 12:00 pm or 12:00 – 3:00 pm
- The resident must be present for the water turn-off appointment
- We require 24 hours' notice in advance of the shut off request
Fees and charges for the shut off will be applied to your water bill.
Please call 705.429.2540 x 2305 for an appointment.
What to do if your tap water is discoloured?
Is your tap water discoloured, brown or red (rust-coloured)?
Normally this situation won’t last long and can be easily resolved by following a few steps before consuming the water. Discoloured water is an aesthetic issue, but it is safe to drink and does not pose a health concern.
Discoloured water (yellow, red, brown, or grey) is generally caused by iron oxidation, creating rust in the drinking water lines. When equipment is inspected or repair work is done on the distribution network, rust particles may come loose, causing the water to become discoloured.
Follow these steps:
-
Open the cold water tap. In a house, use the bathtub tap; if not, use the kitchen sink. If your building (e.g., a store) doesn’t have a bathtub or kitchen sink, use whatever tap is available.
-
If the tap has an aerator, first unscrew the tip to remove it.
-
Let the cold water run until it is clear. Once clear, it is safe to drink.
-
To prevent staining clothing or damaging an appliance, ensure the water runs clear before doing laundry or using any appliance that uses water.
Does the discolouring persist?
If the water is still discoloured, please call the Public Works Office at 705.429.2540.
Why is the water discoloured?
Water can become discoloured when work is done on the water distribution system, such as:
-
Change in direction or speed of water flow in lines
-
Opening of fire hydrants or valves
-
Repair, maintenance, or construction work
Water Meter Transmitter Replacement Program
The Town of Wasaga Beach Public Works Department has initiated a Water Meter Transmitter Replacement Program. Not every property in your area will be targeted for a replacement. There is no cost to homeowners or occupants, and installations will be completed by our contractor, WAMCO.
The program consists of the deactivation, removal, replacement, and reactivation of the water Meter Transmitter Unit (MXU). The MXU is a beige, rectangular-shaped device located on the outside of your dwelling unit.
WAMCO staff will remove and replace the MXU without interrupting your billing process and, in most cases, without needing access to the inside of your home.
If WAMCO staff encounter any issues that require access inside your dwelling, they will leave a door hanger on your door. Should you receive a door hanger, please follow the instructions displayed and contact the phone number listed as soon as possible.
For further information regarding the Water Meter Transmitter Replacement Program, please contact Public Works at 705.429.2540.
Source Water Protection
The goal of source water protection is to minimize the risk of contamination to both groundwater and surface water. By safeguarding these vital water sources, we help ensure cleaner, safer water for drinking, recreation, and the overall health of our environment.
Threat Verification Inspections
The Town of Wasaga Beach is working on the implementation of the Source Protection Plan to meet the requirements of the Provincial Clean Water Act. Municipalities are already responsible for the delivery of municipal drinking water and land use planning and the source protection process will build on this framework. Source protection introduces various tools to manage land uses and gives municipalities the responsibility and authority to regulate activities that may pose a risk to drinking water sources on a site-specific basis,where such activities are located within surface water intake protection zones or wellhead protection areas(also known as vulnerable areas).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of these threat verification inspections?
As part of the source protection planning process, studies were conducted to assess the vulnerability of the municipal water source and identify the locations of any activities that may pose a risk of contaminating the drinking water source.These activities are referred to as drinking water threats.
The initial threat assessment made generalized assumptions based on land use. As part of the next steps to implement source protection, we must now verify if such activities are actually occurring at the locations that were identified.
What activities are drinking water threats?
Contaminants from a variety of activities on the land can negatively affect groundwater or surface water if not managed properly.
- Some examples include:
- Handling or storage of chemicals
- Storage and spreading of road salt
- Fuel storage
- Use and storage of fertilizers and pesticides
- Septic systems
- Municipal sewers, treatment plants, and landfills
- Animal feed lots and spreading of manure
What happens if I am engaged in one of these activities?
The Source Protection Plan may require persons engaged in these activities to have a Risk Management Plan that details all of the actions that must be taken to ensure that the activity does not pose a risk to the drinking water source.The requirement of a Risk Management Plan is intended to allow activities to continue while minimizing the risk to the municipal drinking water source.
Risk Management Plans are intended to take into account the specific conditions at your facility.In some cases, you may already be adequately managing the risk through procedures that are in place. In this case, the Risk Management Plan will simply formalize the actions that you are already taking. In other cases, additional best management practices may be required to reduce the risk to the drinking water source.
The Town of Wasaga Beach is currently in the process of developing templates and other resources to simplify the process for preparing and submitting a Risk Management Plan.We will work with you to ensure that your Risk Management Plan is reasonable while meeting the requirements of the Source Protection Plan.
Are these inspections mandatory?
The Clean Water Act gives municipalities the legal obligation to enforce the Source Protection Plan policies. Risk Management Inspectors have legislated powers to enter property to perform their duties of inspection and enforcement.Our goal is to work cooperatively with local businesses so that any inconvenience is minimized.We will call you in advance to set an inspection time that works with your schedule.
What happens after the inspection?
We will notify you of the results by letter. If a Risk Management Plan is required, you will be given further information about how to proceed and a timeline for submitting and establishing your plan.
What is the inspector looking for?
The location of your business relative to the municipal drinking water sources will determine which activities may potentially be significant drinking water threats. For businesses that are within 100metresof a municipal water supply well, there are a number of activities that may be considered significant drinking water threats, including the following:
- Chemical handling and storage
- Fuel handling and storage
- Storage of hazardous or liquid industrial waste
- Application of road salt
- Septic systems
- Pesticide or fertilizer storage
For businesses that are not within 100 metres of a well, there is only one activity that may be considered a significant drinking water threat:
- Handling or Storage of a Dense Non-aqueous Phase Liquid(DNAPL).
DNAPLs (Dense, Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid) are liquid chemicals that have a higher density than water and do not completely dissolve in water. Because of these properties, they remain as a distinct liquid in surface or ground water and sink deep into the ground. They can then contaminate groundwater sources. Some examples of common products that may contain DNAPLs are listed below:
- Paints, stains,and metal coatings
- Paint removers and furniture strippers
- Wood treatment products
- Spot removers and dry cleaning solvent
- Adhesives, batteries, and printing inks
- Metal cleaning and degreasing products
It is very costly and difficult to clean up DNAPLs once they have contaminated a groundwater source. Even small amounts can cause serious health issues for humans and the environment.Because of this, DNAPLs are considered a significant threat at greater distances from wells than some other chemical threats, even in small quantities. The best way to protect drinking water is to make sure that DNAPLs don’t get there in the first place.
What can businesses do to help protect our drinking water sources?
Consider alternative products
There may be a less hazardous product that can be used to achieve the same result. Eliminating the risk entirely is the most effective approach.
Ensure chemicals are stored safely
Chemicals should be stored in a location that is protected from collisions with vehicles or other equipment or any other hazard that may result in a spill.
Train staff to prevent spills
Staff should be trained to prevent spills and use procedures to ensure that hazardous chemicals do not make it into the ground, sewer systems, or watercourses.
Plan to respond to spills
Having the right equipment, such as absorbent materials, to clean up spills can ensure that spilled chemicals do not have a chance to enter drinking water sources.Staff should know where these materials are and how to use them.
Dispose of chemicals properly
Chemical waste should be stored securely and disposed of by an approved carrier of hazardous or liquid industrial waste.
Where can I get more information?
For general information about Source Water Protection in our Region, visit the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Region website.
If you have questions about inspections, please contact:
Engineer Technologist
705.429.2540 x 2308
If you have questions about Risk Management Plans, please contact:
Manager of Engineering Services
705.429.2540 x 2307
You May Also be Interested in
Get the latest town news delivered right to your inbox
Set your preferences to start recieving updates on Council, the latest programs and services, upcoming events and festivals, news releases, construction notices and more.