Water

The Township of Ramara works with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to safely and efficiently maintain our municipally owned water systems. We supply safe drinking water to customers across the Township.

Many of our residents are also private well owners.

If you have a municipal water service, and you have any concerns related to the appearance, taste, or odour of your water, please contact OCWA at 705-484-5600.

Water service leaks

The water shut-off valve represents the transfer of ownership between the Township and the property owner.

The shut-off valve is maintained by the Township. The piping on the private side of the valve belongs to the property owner who is responsible for any required repairs (which includes the water meter).

If you suspect a leak in your water service or in the street please contact the Infrastructure Department at 705-484-5374 ext. 285 (during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

If this is an emergency after regular business, please call 705-484-5374 and press 8 to reach our after hours call centre.

New connections

For all water or sewer connection inquiries, please contact the Infrastructure Department.

Seasonal water shut-off and turn-on

Going away for the winter?

A licensed operator will turn the water off at the curb stop in the fall, and back on in the spring. Someone is required to be at the premises during this service. Fees are in accordance with the latest Fees and Charges Bylaw.

To book an appointment, please contact OCWA at 705-484-5600.

Remember, you are responsible to maintain the private plumbing system within your home. This includes the water meter.

Watermain Flushing

The Watermain Flushing Program aims to maintain drinking water quality and increase the capacity of the distribution system by cleaning the pipes.

This is done by forcing water through watermains at high speed and discharging it through hydrants, which are left open until the water runs clear. This fast-moving water flow scours and cleans out mineral deposits and sediment that have built up over time and settled at the bottom of the pipes.

A Notice will be posted on the News and Notices page during watermain flushing. Users may experience a temporary discolouration of water while the watermain is being flushed. Any disruption should be short-lived.

If you experience a loss of water that lasts for a long time, please call 705-484-5600.

Steps to Take During and After Flushing

During Flushing

Do not turn on your taps or flush your toilets. This could draw sediment into the water pipes on your property, water meter, hot water tank and into water filters.
Turn off all time-delayed water systems, i.e. dishwashers, coffee markers, lawn sprinklers.
On average, flushing can take 30 minutes to two hours to complete. You may wish to store a sufficient reserve of drinkable water for use during this time.

Once Flushing is Complete

Remove the aerators (screens) from your taps.
Turn on the cold water tap in the basement laundry room, or the tap located nearest to your water meter and main water shut off valve.
Let the water run for 10 minutes.
Place the aerators back on your taps.

Watermain Swabbing

Watermain swabbing involves inserting a foam sponge – or 'swab' – into the watermain through a fire hydrant. The diameter of the swab is slightly larger than the watermain, and it is pushed along through the watermain using water pressure. As it passes through, the swab clears any sediment that has built up inside the watermain. The swab is then pushed up and released through another fire hydrant.

The Township always does its best to reduce impacts to residents. However, during the cleaning process, some usage may be impacted for a short period of time. Residents in the affected households are notified in advance that watermain cleaning will be taking place on their street.

The goal of the Township of Ramara’s cleaning program is to minimize the occurrence of discoloured water and ensure customers receive the freshest water possible by removing accumulated material from the watermains.

For more information, view our Frequently Asked Questions.

What is watermain swabbing?

Watermain swabbing involves inserting a foam sponge – or swab – into the watermain through a fire hydrant. The diameter of the swab is slightly larger than the watermain and it is pushed along through the watermain using water pressure. As it passes through the watermain, the swab clears any sediment that has built up inside the watermain.

Can I use the water while the watermain on my street is being cleaned?

Water is not shut off during this time, but we ask that you make every effort not to use the water. This will avoid any discoloured water or sediment being drawn into your internal plumbing.

Can I use the drain while the watermain is being cleaned?

Yes. You can use the drain during this time.

What will happen if I turn my tap on by accident?

If you turn on your tap during this time, you may experience discoloured water and run the risk of damaging your water meter with debris. Make every effort to avoid turning on taps during this time. It is recommended that you turn off your water valve inside your home to avoid accidental water use.

How does the Township notify customers affected by the program?

The Township uses a number of methods to inform customers of planned cleaning areas, which may include one or more of the following:

Hand-delivery of notices to each affected residence at least 48 hours in advance
Mailed notices to each affected residence at least 7 days in advance
Information posted on the Township's website and on social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook
Mobile electronic signboards in the neighbourhood that is undergoing maintenance

How can I prepare before the watermain swabbing on my street begins?

Before the scheduled operations begin, you should:

Fill a clean container with tap water for drinking and cooking (store in fridge)
Complete all dishwashing, clothes washing and other water-use activities
Fill your bathtub with water for use around the house (you may use a pail to transfer water from the bathtub to your toilet bowl to allow your toilet to flush)

During the period when swabbing is underway, you should:

Avoid using water for any purpose

After the swabbing has finished for the day, you should:

Run the cold, hard (unsoftened) water tap closest to your water meter (usually located in the basement) until the water is clear. Or, if your garden hose does not go through your softener, you can irrigate your lawn or garden until the water is clear.
If the water remains discoloured, please repeat until the water runs clear. If your water remains discoloured, please contact OCWA for assistance at 705-484-5600.
If you experience lower-than-normal water pressure after the maintenance is complete, please verify if it is just one tap, or throughout your home. If it appears to be at one location only, try removing and cleaning the screen at the tap and run the water until it clears.
If you experience lower-than-normal water pressure or no water after the cleaning is complete please call OCWA at 705-484-5600.

Can I drink the water?

Once the normal water clarity has returned, all normal uses can be resumed, including drinking the water. Discoloured water in itself does not pose a health hazard. The red/brown coloured water is from iron that has built up in the watermain.

I am noticing a strange odour and taste in my water

At times, water can have an unpleasant odour, taste, or appearance. These aesthetic characteristics usually do not pose a public health threat and, in most cases, they do not last long. However, a sudden change in colour, taste or odour of your tap water could indicate changing water characteristics. If you notice taste and odour persists, please contact OCWA at 705-484-5600.

Why is the Township performing watermain cleaning?

In order to ensure the highest quality of water for your community, OCWA routinely performs watermain cleaning programs to do a thorough cleaning of the watermains as part of proactive routine maintenance and best practices.

Current Projects

Brechin Water Tower Construction

Watermain Flushing - Fall 2023

Davy Drive HAA Levels - September 2023

In December 2022, routine quarterly testing of drinking water from the Davy Drive distribution system revealed that HAA levels exceed the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standard of 80 ug/L. We are required to sample and test for HAAs at least once every calendar quarter (4 times a year), and we must calculate and keep a running annual average (RAA) of the previous 4 sample results. If the RAA is over 80 ug/L, a written notice must be sent to the local Health Unit.

The most recent calculated four quarter average is 74.9 ug/L which is below the 80 ug/L standard. A notice of resolution was sent to the Health Unit to advise the issue has been resolved.

For an update on HAA levels at the Davy Drive water system, visit the Drinking Water Quality & Monitoring page.