Water Quality

An underground watermain break can flood streets and private property, ultimately causing damage and safety hazards. The area of the break must therefore be contained and repaired as quickly as possible. 

The Roads and Public Works department does its best to provide advanced notice to its customers for disruptions in service, however, severe breaks may result in little or no warning for temporary loss of service.

If you suspect a watermain break has occurred in your neighbourhood (Almonte Ward), please contact the Roads and Public Works department. 

In May 2000, the Walkerton Municipal drinking water system became contaminated with E.Coli, resulting in several deaths and many people becoming ill. The Provincial government launched an inquiry led by Justice O’Connor and his findings changed the water industry. Key recommendations from the inquiry resulted in newer and stricter legislation governing the monitoring, testing, and treatment of municipal drinking water systems.   

The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks also implemented a mandatory Drinking Water License program which involved the implementation of a Quality Management Standard (QMS) for each operating authority in the province. 

In 2012 Mississippi Mills achieved Full Scope Accreditation of its drinking water distribution system. Accreditation was received after a detailed onsite audit was completed of the drinking water distribution system that examined all aspects of the operational plan and its effectiveness.
 

Policy Statement

Mississippi Mills Drinking Water System Updates:

2023 Q4 Update

Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention Program in the Almonte Ward 

This program was developed under recommendation by The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to better protect the public water system from the risk of contamination from private plumbing systems. 

By-law 04-41 regulates water connections linked to the public water supply and requires that all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties be fitted with appropriate premises isolation. The aim of this by-law is to ensure backflow does not occur from unprotected cross-connections in area plumbing systems. It also makes property owners responsible for identifying all cross-connections in their building, submitting to cross-connection surveys, and installing and maintaining all backflow prevention devices.
 

Frequently asked questions

2023 Stormwater Management System Annual Report

2023 Sewage Collection System Annual Report

2023 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2023 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2022 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2022 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2021 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2021 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2020 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2020 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2019 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2019 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2018 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2018 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2017 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2017 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2016 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2016 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2015 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2015 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2014 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2014 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report

2013 Annual Wastewater Treatment Facility Report

2013 Water Treatment Facility Annual Report 

The spring and fall watermain flushing program is carried out to remove sediments that have built up in the watermains.  These flushing activities are part of the best management practices to ensure that water quality objectives are maintained in the distribution system. This maintenance procedure may result in temporary inconveniences to residents, such as a reduced water pressure or red (discoloured) water. 

Reduced water pressure should only be intermittent as the hydrants are being flushed.  The pressure will return to normal once the flushing is completed. 

If you detect red (discoloured) water, turn your tap off for 20 to 30 minutes, this should allow work crews enough time to complete the flushing. When work crews have left the area, turn on one COLD water tap for a few minutes to flush the system. 

Red (discoloured) water may occur near the water main flushing or many blocks away, depending on various factors such as their supply main size, location, and demand flows. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the location and extent of the customers that may receive red (discoloured) water. 

We recommend that you do not drink or wash laundry with red (discoloured) water. 

2021 Water and Wastewater Rate Study Report 

2021 Water Financial Plan