Water

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, all municipal drinking water systems in Ontario must be operated by an accredited Operating Authority.  In order to become an accredited Operating Authority, an Operational Plan that meets the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) must be prepared and implemented.

One of the requirements of the DWQMS is the preparation of a Quality Management Policy.  These policies lay the foundation for the quality management system, demonstrate and document the commitments the water system owner and operating authority management have made with respect to the management of drinking water quality.

Below are the policies for the 4 water systems operated by the City of St. Thomas Environmental Services Department.

• St. Thomas Secondary Water Supply System DWQMS Policy
• Township of Southwold Water Distribution System (Lynhurst Area) DWQMS Policy
• City of St. Thomas Water Distribution System DWQMS Policy
• Municipality of Central Elgin Water Distribution System (St. Thomas Suburban Area) DWQMS Policy

A copy of the Operational Plan(s) for the water systems operated by City of St. Thomas Water and Sewer Service Area may be obtained by contacting Karel Kamerman at kkamerman@stthomas.ca or 519-631-1680 ext. 4224.

Risk of frozen water lines

With our area often experiencing extremely cold temperatures, water lines may be at a risk of freezing. 

For pipes with a high risk of freezing, please consider implementing the following tips immediately:

• Run the cold water tap through this cold snap.  The stream should be the size of a pencil lead.  You will be responsible for the cost of water used, but this may prevent larger plumbing expenses, and keep pipes from freezing.
• Open kitchen, bathroom and laundry room cabinet doors (where pipes are located) to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

To further reduce the risk of frozen water pipes, we also suggest:

• Disconnecting and draining all outdoor hoses
• Sealing air leaks in your home and garage.
• If you are going away, keep some heat on in the house.
• If you plan to turn your heat off, drain all water from pipes, toilets and water heater, and close your water shut off (at the street).

Please note, the City of St. Thomas is not responsible for frozen water lines on private property.

The City of St Thomas provides bulk water to registered customers at our station located at 100 Burwell Rd, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3R8. 

In order to streamline this service, The City has implemented a NEW on-line system eliminating the need for paper billing.  This new system is called Flowpoint Cloud and it will make it easier for bulk water customers to buy water, manage trucks, view their account and run reports. It also offers 24 hour convenience because the cloud-based payment and account management features are available on-line, anytime! 

Our goal is to make this transition seamless! Once you register and set-up your personalized account, any account balances remaining from our old system will be transferred over to your new account.  

Should you have questions on how to register or set-up your account with Flowpoint Cloud, we encourage you to refer to the Customer Manual. Be sure to bookmark this link, as it will be handy to help you navigate this new system and access a wide range of account services. 

Please note that the Flowpoint Cloud system only accepts online payment. Therefore, all other forms of payment that were previously processed at either the water station or the Municipal office, will no longer be accepted. We encourage you to set-up your new account at your earliest convenience.  

Thank you for your cooperation as we transition to this new method of bulk water purchasing.

Report an odour concern

If you notice an odour from the City's Water Pollution Control Plant, submit a report through Customer Service.

City staff will document the complaint, investigate potential sources and report complaints to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as required. You do not need to contact the Ministry separately.

How the City reduces odours

The City regularly cleans and maintains the wastewater treatment plant and makes operational and infrastructure improvements to reduce odours as much as possible. However, some odours are unavoidable.

Why is the plant located here?

The City's Water Pollution Control Plant has served St. Thomas and the surrounding area for over 100 years. Its location near a watercourse allows treated wastewater to be released back into the environment.

Wastewater treatment

The plant treats approximately 7 billion litres of raw sewage each year. Treatment removes harmful contaminants before the cleaned water is released into Kettle Creek. Waste processed at the plant is also converted into certified fertilizer for agricultural use.

The City of St. Thomas flushes fire hydrants each fall to remove sediment from water pipes, maintain water quality and test hydrants to ensure proper water flow and pressure.

Flushing takes place during the day. Residents may notice temporary changes in water pressure or reddish, yellow or brown water. This is usually caused by rust or sediment being stirred up in older water pipes.

How to prepare

• Check the City's website and social media for flushing notices.
• If you have a water softener, put it on bypass during flushing.
• If City staff are flushing a hydrant on your street, avoid using water until the work is complete.
• If your medical equipment requires a continuous water supply or pressure, contact the Water Wastewater Division at 519-631-0368.

The City cannot provide exact flushing times for individual streets.

What to do if your water Is discoloured

If your tap water looks reddish, yellow or brown:

1. Avoid using the water for drinking, cooking or laundry until it clears.
2. Wait about two hours to allow sediment to settle.
3. Run a cold water tap for about five minutes, or until the water runs clear. Use a tap without a water filter and avoid hot water to prevent sediment from entering your hot water tank.
4. Clean faucet screens if water pressure or flow is reduced.

If your water does not clear after 30 minutes of running the cold tap, or you continue to experience low water pressure or flow, contact the Water Wastewater Division at 519-631-0368.