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# Wastewater, Sewers & Storm
The Municipality of Kincardine is responsible for the collection and treatment of sewage in serviced areas on municipal property. We also look after the collection and management of rain water on municipal roadways and allowances.
Homeowners and property owners are responsible for the water pipes, assets, sewer, and stormwater pipes on their private property.
The water department's hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with closures on statutory holidays. An operator is on-call for after hours emergencies.
See our Water Services webpage along with the Utility Billing and Digging/Locates for details on those services. Reports related to wastewater and sewers are available on the Water Reports and Plans webpage.
Lagoon Sludge Removal Project
The Municipality of Kincardine is undertaking a multi-year project to remove accumulated sludge from the Kincardine wastewater lagoons. A 2024 study identified significant sludge volumes within the lagoon system, and work began in 2025 in partnership with Bishop Water Technologies to restore treatment capacity and support the long-term performance of the wastewater system.
As part of this work, sludge that has accumulated over many years is being disturbed and removed. This process can release gases that create unpleasant odours. Warm weather conditions can make these odours more noticeable.
The Municipality has introduced additional aeration to increase oxygen levels and support the natural treatment process. While these measures help reduce odours, they cannot eliminate them completely during active sludge removal.
The current phase of work is expected to take approximately nine weeks and must be completed during warmer weather, as freezing conditions prevent this type of operation.
The Municipality appreciates residents' patience and understanding as this important work is completed. Seasonal sludge removal activities are expected to continue through 2028.
Learn more about the Lagoon Sludge Removal Project
## Sewers
If you have a sewer issue, please call the Environmental Services department at 519-396-4660. We will check to make sure the sewers under the road are clear of a blockage. If street sewers are clear, please call a plumber to check the pipes inside your home.
Sewer Use By-Law 2016-128
To view the current Rates & Fees for Sewers see Schedule L on page 21.
#### Remember the 3 Ps!
The only things that should ever be flushed down the toilet are **P**oop, **P**ee, and **P**aper (as in toilet paper!)
To help you avoid a sewer back-up.
* Put grease in a jar and place in garbage
* Scrape all food scraps into garbage
* Use hair and lint traps
* Put diapers and wipes in garbage
* Put dental floss in garbage
* Put condoms in garbage
* Put pads and tampons in garbage
* Take paints and varnishes to hazardous waste disposal
* Take leftover pills to drug store
## Sewer FAQ's
What can I flush down the toilet?
The 3 P's! Only **P**oop, **P**ee, and toilet **P**aper can go in your toilet.
Flushing items such as baby wipes, menstrual products, rags, and disposable face masks can clog our pumps and have to be manually removed. Please place these in your garbage to go to the landfill.
Can I pour grease down the drain?
No. Grease should be collected in a jar or sealed container which can then placed in the garbage.
How do I hook up to a Municipal Sewer?
Call the Building Department at 519-396-3468 ext. 2
How do I drain my pool?
See our Sewer Use By-law for details about this.
I smell sewer gas - what do I do?
Pouring water down your floor drains and sinks can help fix this, but if the smell does not stop, you should call a plumber to investigate.
Where can I put waste from my recreational vehicle (RV)?
The Municipality does not take waste from RVs. Please contact a campground for disposal.
I have a sewer complaint - who should I contact?
Please contact the Environmental Services department at 519-396-4660 or by e-mail.
I want to tie my sump pump discharge into the stormwater system - who do I call?
Please give us a call at 519-396-4660.
## Optional Service Line Warranty Program
**Did you Know?**
As a homeowner, you are responsible for the water and sewer service lines running from outside your home to the public main.
When your service line breaks, leaks, or clogs, the repair can cost thousands of dollars and many homeowner insurance policies do not cover these repair costs. Check with your insurance provider to see if your policy includes coverage.
The Municipality of Kincardine, in conjunction with Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC), offers an optional Service Line Warranty program to homeowners.
Participation is optional and voluntary. It is not a municipal program. SLWC is solely responsible for the administration and service of the warranty program. Any homeowner enrolling in this program should do so with the understanding that the Municipality in no way warrants or is liable for the work or performance of SLWC.
Who is Service Line Warranties of Canada?
SLW is associated with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario as a preferred vendor. They've partnered with over 65 leading cities and municipalities in Canada to provide repair service plans that offer peace of mind and convenience.
SLWC has provided over $6 million in coverage since first launching in 2014.
SLWC is an accredited Better Business Bureau organization maintaining an A+ rating.
How do get more details and sign-up?
For more information or to sign-up for the program, contact SLWC toll-free at 1-866-922-9004 or visit their website.
Why is the Municipality of Kincardine using this program?
The Municipality of Kincardine has partnered with SLWC to provide this optional warranty coverage to homeowners for their water and sanitary services to:
* Educate residential property owners about their responsibilities for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of water and sewer service lines (the portion running from their homes to the property line.)
* Make available to residents optional, affordable protection for unexpected costs of repairing or replacing non-functioning water and service lines, as well as, broken interior plumbing and drainage systems.
* Protect the environment with timely repairs to reduce water loss and minimize wastewater pollution.
How did I get on a mailing list for SLWC?
SLWC works with Data Axel to gather mailing information from several publicly available sources including real estate listings, the telephone white pages, etc.
The Municipality of Kincardine did not provide your details to SLWC.
If you'd like to be removed from their mailing list, please e-mail us.
Why use an American company and allow them to use the Municipal logo?
SLWC is headquartered in the United States, but they do have a Canadian Head Office in Toronto, and are committed to using local contractors when completing repairs.
Our agreement with them allows them to use the Municipality of Kincardine logo in their communications to indicate the formal relationship in place and that the service they're offering is legitimate one with our approval and benefits for our residents.
Does this affect my taxes or rates?
No, the SLWC program has no impact on resident's taxes, water, or sewer rates.
Who is responsible for the service lines?
The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment up to the ownership demarcation point.
It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain and repair equipment beyond the ownership demarcation point.
Is it proper for a municipality to partner with a private entity?
It's not a new idea for public and private sectors to work together. This is about brining Municipality of Kincardine residents a solution to a real problem facing homeowners around the country.
SLWC brings the best of the best of the private sector, including efficiency and expertise, to relieve the burden on homeowners facing expensive repairs.
At the same time, SLWC supports communities by helping us, as local decision-makers, tackle the problem of making sure all of our community's water and sewer infrastructure is maintained. It is good practice to bring together the best of what public and private entities have to offer.
## Sewer bypasses and overflows
A bypass occurs at the treatment works when the wastewater is not able to go through one or more of the treatment processes before it is discharged. An example of this would be when there is a power outage, and the UV disinfection system is not able to run.
An overflow is similar to a bypass in that the wastewater is not fully treated but it typically occurs in the wastewater collection system when the flows exceed the capacity of the pumping station. An overflow typically occurs when the system is overwhelmed by stormwater inflow due to heavy precipitation as some areas have residential footing drains and/or sump pumps connected into the wastewater collection system instead of the stormwater system. An overflow is intended to prevent infrastructure damage and basement flooding.
The tables below outline the bypass and overflow events for the current calendar year and period of two years before.
### Bypass and Overflow Report 2026
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type of Event | Date | Duration (Minutes) | Estimated Volume (m3) | Reason | Location | System |
| Bypass | February 9, 2026 | 258 | 90.8 | Equipment Failure-UV Froze | BEC Lagoons | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Overflow | March 7-8, 2026 | 1500 | 411 | Snowmelt and Heavy Precipitation | Maple St PS, | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Overflow | March 11,2026 | 881 | 252 | Snowmelt and Heavy Precipitation | Maple St PS, | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Bypass | March 30, 2026 | 27 | 25.2 | Equipment Failure-Debris on Sensor | BEC Lagoons | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Overflow | April 4, 2026 | 60 | 74.25 | Heavy Precipitation | Park Street Pump Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
### Bypass and Overflow Report 2025
| Type of Event | Date | Duration (Minutes) | Estimated Volume (m3) | Reason | Location | System |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bypass | February 2, 2025 | 25 | 15.61 | Equipment issue/Ice | BEC WW Effluent | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Overflow | June 27, 2025 | 195 | 55.6 | Major Rainfall | Maple Street Pumping Station | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Bypass | September 12, 2025 | 6 | 2.5 | Equipment Issue | BEC WW Effluent | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
| Forcemain Leak | November 6, 2025 | 450 | 50 | Contractor Drilled through Forcemain | Albert Road and Concession 2 | Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System |
### Bypass and Overflow Report 2024
| Type of Event | Date | Duration (Minutes) | Estimated Volume (m3) | Reason | Location | System |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bypass | April 13, 2024 | 390 | 97.2 | Power Interruption | Kincardine Effluent Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Bypass | June 13, 2024 | 145 | 17.4 | Power Interruption | Kincardine Effluent Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Spill | June 14, 2024 | 105 | 0.04 | Sewermain Backup/Manhole blockage | Broadway and Highway 21 | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Spill | November 18, 2024 | 10 | 15 | Lagoon boards removed/Manhole Blockage | Bruce Avenue and Penetangore Row Effluent manhole SMH-457 | Kincardine Wastewater System |
### Bypass and Overflow Report 2023
| Type of Event | Date | Duration (Minutes) | Estimated Volume (m3) | Reason | Location | System |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spill | March 30, 2023 | 240 | >0.1 | Grinder Line Leak | Harbour Street | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Overflow / Spill | April 5, 2023 | 165 | 74.25 | Heavy Precipitation | Durham Street Pump Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Overflow / Spill | April 5, 2023 | 186 | 26.9 | Heavy Precipitation | Park Street Pump Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Overflow / Spill | April 5, 2023 | 418 | 83.2 | Heavy Precipitation | Maple Street Pump Station | BEC Wastewater System |
| Planned Bypass / Spill | June 28, 2023 | 195 | 183.57 | Influent chamber cleaning | BEC Lagoons | BEC Wastewater System |
| Bypass | July 7, 2023 | 150 | 498 | Power Interruption | Kincardine Effluent Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Bypass | November 19, 2023 | 240 | 47.9 | Power Interruption | Kincardine Effluent Station | Kincardine Wastewater System |
| Spill | November 23, 2023 | Unknown | 0.5 | Plugged outlet at splitter box between aerated cell and lagoons | Kincardine Lagoons | Kincardine Wastewater System |
Storm Sewer FAQ's
The Catchbasin in front of my property is plugged. Who do I call?
Contact the Environmental Services department by email or by phone at 519-396-4660.
How are Stormwater Management Ponds maintained?
Grass will not be cut around the pond to keep it natural. After many years' debris may be removed from the pond. Structures and bank stabilization may occur at different times.
What are Stormwater Management Ponds (SWMP's)?
A storm water management pond collects water runoff in the area. It will hold the water and slowly release it to the environment. This will help keep items like dirt, fertilizer, cigarette butts and garbage out of our rivers and lakes.
Contact Us
**The Municipality of Kincardine**
1475 Concession 5, R.R.
#5, Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X6
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