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# Water and Wastewater
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| The Municipality of West Perth provides municipal water and sanitary sewer within the serviced settlements. Every homeowner is responsible for maintaining the water and sanitary lines from the street to inside your home. If you are doing work inside your home and require the water to be shut off, please contact Environmental Services staff a minimum of 48 hours before you intend to start the project. | Investing in Canada |
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#### About the Water & Wastewater in West Perth
Environmental Services is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the municipal water and wastewater facilities, including wastewater treatment plant, water distribution systems, water towers, water meters, sewage collection systems, and sewage pumping stations.
##### **Annual Drinking Water Summary Reports**
The Municipality monitors the water quality weekly across the Mitchell Drinking Water System and responds directly to customer inquiries and complaints.
The Municipality completes annual drinking water reports for the Mitchell Drinking Water System:
Mitchell Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Report
Mitchell Drinking Water System 2024 Annual Report
Mitchell Drinking Water System 2023 Annual Report
Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS)
The Municipality of West Perth is committed to supplying a safe, consistent drinking water supply while maintaining strict adherence to all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements. We strive to achieve these goals through the implementation of a management system comprised of policies, procedures, instructions and forms that demonstrate risk-based treatment process, evaluation, staff competency, open communication, workplace safety, and appropriate contingency/emergency response procedures.
The Municipality of West Perth is committed to:
* Managing and operating the drinking water system in a responsible manner in accordance with documented quality management policies and procedures;
* Providing the customer with clean, safe drinking water;
* Maintaining and continually improving the quality management system;
* Complying with applicable regulations and legislation.
DWQMS Operational Plan
WPDWQMS-Appendix A - QMS Policy
NSF DWQMS Certificate
2025 Annual Performance Report
Drinking Water System Finanical Plan 2025-2030
Drinking Water System Financial Plan 2020 - 2025
##### FALL FLUSHING 2026
**October 9th to 30th, 2026 -** West Perth Environmental Services will be performing maintenance on the municipal water mains, including flushing and flow testing.
Customers may experience discolored water at any time during this period. Please check your cold water for discolouration prior to using water for cooking, laundry or dishwasher. If water is discoloured, discontinue use and run a cold water tap for a few minutes until the water clears.
Flushing hydrants helps clear sediment from water lines, maintains water pressure, and ensures high water quality for users connected to Municipal Water. Flushing occurs twice per year, in spring and fall.
If you have concerns, please contact [email protected] or (519) 348-8428 x 234
##### Fluoride in Perth and Huron County Water
Fluoride is a mineral that protects teeth against tooth decay. Many communities in Canada, including Goderich, add fluoride to the local water supply to help prevent teeth from developing cavities. In Perth County and some wells in Huron County, fluoride is found naturally in the groundwater. This means levels of fluoride in drinking water vary across the region. If the fluoride level in water is more than 1.5 milligram/litre, there is a risk of dental fluorosis. The level of fluoride in your drinking water is only a concern if you have a family with young children, as dental fluorosis develops in early childhood. Dental fluorosis can change the appearance of teeth, from small white flecks to larger white areas, and in severe cases, to pitting or brown areas. However, most cases are mild. Mild fluorosis is not a health problem, but it can be avoided.
With the exception of dental fluorosis, scientific studies have not found any credible link between fluoride in water and adverse health effects at the levels that people in Perth and Huron counties experience.
In Mitchell, fluoride levels higher than ideal (greater than 1.5 milligram/litre). If the fluoride level in your water is more than 1.5 milligram/litre and you have young children and are worried about fluorosis:
* consider using water with a lower fluoride level from another source for drinking and cooking
Examples of other sources of water:
* Non-fluoridated bottled water
* Use a water treatment device, such as reverse osmosis, to remove fluoride
Note: Pitcher filters, such as Brita, do not remove fluoride from water.
If you live on a well, you can test your water for fluoride through a licensed private laboratory.
##### Sodium
Sodium is a mineral that can be found in drinking water supplies. Sodium (Na) is one of the chemical elements found in table salts (known as sodium chloride). Naturally occurring sodium is common in the Huron and Perth County geographical area. The human body needs sodium in order to maintain blood pressure, control fluid levels and for normal nerve and muscle function. Sodium occurs naturally in most foods. Natural levels vary considerably for different types of food, and food processing can significantly increase sodium levels. Sodium in drinking water is not a health concern for most people but may be an issue for someone with severe hypertension, congestive heart failure or on a sodium-restricted diet. Water Softeners Softening use sodium-ion exchange and will also increase the sodium level in drinking water and may contribute a significant percentage to the daily sodium intake for a consumer on a sodium-restricted diet. View the fact sheet for more information.
The *Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation 170/03*under the *Safe Drinking Water Act 2002* requires reporting to the local Medical Officer of Health when sodium levels in public drinking water supplies exceed 20mg/L. The aesthetic objective for sodium in drinking water is ≤200mg/L. The taste of drinking water is generally considered offensive at sodium concentrations above the aesthetic objective.
Recent water test results from Mitchell Drinking Water System indicated Sodium levels of 41-49 mg/L (milligrams per litre). This level exceeds the drinking water requirements under*Ontario Regulation 170/03* of 20 mg/L. **This is important for people who are on a sodium-reduced diet.**It is recommended that residents who are on a sodium-reduced or restricted diet consider an alternative source of drinking water (i.e. bottled water). This would also be recommended for water that is used for cooking as well as the concentration of sodium can increase when water is boiled. For more information please see this notice from Huron Perth Public Health.
Information regarding the Source Protection Plan can be obtained from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
To ensure clean, safe drinking water is conveyed to users of the Mitchell Drinking Water System, the Municipality of West Perth Council passed a By-law in 2011 to adopt a drinking water Backflow Prevention Program as recommended by the Ministry of the Environment.
Backflow is defined as "the undesirable reversal of water flow that can allow contaminants to be introduced to a drinking water distribution system." The Backflow Prevention Program aims to protect water in the distribution system from contamination. Under the Backflow Prevention By-law all commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential property owners shall ensure that backflow prevention devices are installed and tested by a qualified person annually.
Property owners are responsible for costs associated with hiring a qualified contractor to install, maintain and test backflow prevention devices.
The Municipality of West Perth has partnered with BSI Online (Backflow Solutions Inc) to administer the Backflow Prevention Program.
Contractors are to register with BSI and submit test reports through BSI's website.
HOME - BSI Online.CA
2025 Annual Performance Report
**Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Reports:**
Annual Wastewater Treatment Report 2025
Annual Wastewater Treatment Report 2024
Annual Wastewater Treatment Report 2023
#### How to Pay Your Water Bill
The Municipality has a number of options available to our customers for payment.
Payment must be received at the Municipal Office by the due date to avoid penalty.
**Go paperless!** Sign up and you will receive a PDF version of your water and sewer bill delivered directly to your email account.
You will no longer receive a paper copy of your bill when you sign up for E-Send, future bills will be delivered to the email address you provided. Customers may sign up for more than one utility account for e-bills. A separate enrollment form is required for each utility account.
If you have any questions, or decide to withdraw from E-Send, please email your request to the Utilities Clerk or contact them via telephone at (519) 348-8429 ext 229.
**Please note:**
* It is the customer's responsibility to complete a new enrollment form if there is a change to the email address where the utility bill is being sent and also to notify the Utilities Clerk if a bill has not been received.
* Customers using the utility e-billing service are subject to standard late fees if applicable.
* Please add [email protected] to your email's safe list/contact list to ensure e-bills are sent directly to your inbox.
Interested in going paperless? Simply fill out the online form.
Sign-up for E-Send
The Municipality offers pre-authorized payment plans for water bills. The amount due for your bill is automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the due date.
Please complete our online pre-authorized payment plan form or download the PDF version.
The Municipality of West Perth has found you another way to pay your taxes and/or utilities. PaySimply is a third-party provider where in just a few clicks you can securely pay your property taxes and/or utilities online, anytime, anywhere, with any card. Please note that it can take up to three days for the Municipality to receive the payment and late fees still apply. For more information or to get started visit www.PaySimply.ca. Search "West Perth" and select "Water/Sewer" on PaySimply for payment.
For online and telephone banking please use your roll number as the account number.
Location: West Perth Municipal Office
Payment methods accepted:
* Cash
* Cheque (made out to the Municipality of West Perth)
* Debit Card
Cheques may be dropped in the after hours drop box located beside the main entrance to the Municipal Office.
Follow these steps to submit payments by mail:
1. Attach your payment stub and make your cheque payable to the Municipality of West Perth
2. Write your account number on the front of your cheque
3. Allow sufficient time for the payment to reach our office on or before the due date in order to avoid penalty charges
We consider payments complete on the date the Finance Department receives your cheque.
* At your bank or trust company. Pay at the teller or through an ATM. You are responsible to pay any service charges levied by them
* Electronic payments - most financial institutions offer the "Municipality of West Perth" or "West Perth" as one of their payments. Be sure to pick "Water" and not taxes to ensure your payment is applied to the correct account
* For online and telephone banking please use your water/wastewater account number as the online account number.
* Search for payee "West Perth (Mun) Water/Sewer"
**Note:** If you haven't received your water/sewer bill or have misplaced your bill, contact the Municipal Office at 519-348-8429 ext. 229. It is the account holder's responsibility to ensure payments are made and the account balance is paid.
#### Citizen Responsibilities
If you have a private water well it is your responsibility as the homeowner to ensure the water is safe to consume and meets or exceeds Provincial standards.
Huron Perth Public Health operates a well testing program.
**Sample bottles are available at the** West Perth Municipal Office.
The term "sewer lateral" refers to the length of pipe that runs from your building or home to the main municipal sanitary sewer line. The maintenance and repair of the entire sewer lateral is your responsibility.
If your sewer lateral is backed up please contact Environmental Services to evaluate the situation and determine how we can assist you or determine if you need to contact a plumber.
Storm sewers collect rain and run-off from melting snow on your property to help prevent flooding and redirect this wastewater to nearby storm-water management ponds, creeks and lakes.
To assist the Municipality in ensuring storm sewers do not get blocked, do not rake leaves onto the roadway put debris near the catchment.
#### Need Assistance?
For After-Hours Water Emergencies, please call 519-301-1607.
Please report any problems you may have with municipal water or sanitary service.
Report a Problem
Consumer Water Drinking Complaint Form
Wastewater Complaint Form
For After-Hours Water Emergency, please call 519-301-1607.
If you are on Municipal water, please contact the Utilities Clerk at (519) 348-8429 ext 229 or complete the online form to set up your account.
Request New Water Account
PDF New Water Account
If you are moving, you must request a final water reading for the last day of possession. This ensures that the account is transferred to the new occupants and they are billed for the water they use.
The final bill, from your last regular reading date to the final reading date will be mailed/emailed to you at your new location.
The Municipality accepts the following final water meter read requests:
* Online form
* In person
* Email
* Letter from Lawyer's Office
**Note** your final water meter read request must include a forwarding address and your contact information, otherwise your request will not be processed.
Final Water Meter Read Request
PDF Final Water Meter Read Request
When a meter reading tag is left on your door, this means that we were unable to access your water meter(s) for a reading. You can assist us by reading your meter(s) yourself and submitting the reading. By reading your own meter(s), you ensure that you are billed accurately for actual usage instead of receiving an estimated reading.
Submit Meter Reading
For more information regarding how to read your water meter, please view our guide.
If you have any questions, please contact 519-348-8429 ext. 229.
Leaks in the home can be caused by leaky toilets, dripping faucets, leaky hose bibbs, a malfunctioning water softener etc. The majority of the Municipality of West Perth's water meters are able to identify leaks.
If you think you may have a water leak, please view our guide to help identify and locate water leaks in your home.
Contact Us
**Municipality of West Perth**
160 Wellington Street
P.O. Box 609
Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0
Phone: 519-348-8429
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