Where your tap water comes from
Every drop of water you use in your home travels from the Tamsin River. The river flows south-west through the city centre, passing the Wrenford Falls and the original mill site. The city draws raw water from the river at the Tamsin River Water Treatment Plant. From there, it is treated and sent through a network of pipes to your tap.
Protecting the river source
Our water supply depends on a healthy river. The Tamsin Valley Conservation Authority works with the city to protect the shoreline and the banks of the Tamsin River, Corvid Creek, and Hollis Creek. This means keeping development away from the water's edge, monitoring water levels, and making sure runoff from rain and snow does not carry pollutants into the river.
As a resident, you play a key role in source protection. When you sweep your driveway, shovel your walkway, or wash your car, try to keep soap, dirt, and oil off the street. Stormwater drains directly into the river, so anything that goes down the drain eventually reaches your tap.
Treating and returning water
At the treatment plant, staff remove sediments and test the water constantly to make sure it meets Ontario drinking water standards. After you use water at home, it flows into the wastewater system and travels to the Wrenford Water Pollution Control Plant. There, the water is cleaned before it is safely returned to the Tamsin River. This closed-loop system ensures we do not waste water and that the river stays healthy for fish, wildlife, and future generations.
What you can do to help
- Fix leaks quickly. A dripping faucet or a running toilet wastes thousands of litres a year. Report a water leak or broken meter to the city.
- Use the green bin. Food scraps and yard waste belong in your green bin, not in the storm drain.
- Dispose of chemicals safely. Never pour paint, oil, or medicine down the sink or toilet. Take them to the household hazardous waste depot.
- Conserve water indoors and out. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway.
- Join a cleanup. Volunteer for the Tamsin River Source Protection Volunteer Day on the first Saturday of the month to help clear debris from the banks.
Questions about your water source?
If you want to learn more about water quality reports, source protection plans, or how the city manages the river during drought or heavy rain, contact the Water & Wastewater department.
Phone: 519-555-0100 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
After-hours utilities: 519-555-0111
Email: [email protected]