If you see a water main break or notice water running down the street, report it right away. You can call Service Wrenford at 311 from inside the city, or 519-555-0111 after hours and on weekends. City staff will be dispatched to check the site and make sure the area is safe. We put up barricades and adjust traffic if needed. Please stay away from broken pipes and rushing water until crews arrive.
We fix leaks based on how serious they are, how many people lose water, and the risk of damage to property. Because conditions change quickly, we cannot give a fixed timeline for every repair. We monitor active leaks daily until they are fixed.
Types of breaks
A water main is the large pipe that runs under the street. Your home connects to it through a service connection.
- Water main break: Usually affects an entire block or both sides of a street.
- Service connection leak: Usually affects just one home or business. Leaks often happen at the curb box near the front property line or where the pipe meets the main. We try to keep your water on while we fix it.
If your water is turned off
We tell affected homes and businesses ahead of time so you can save water. If we cannot give notice because the break is severe or we cannot reach you, we will send water tankers to the area. You can fill your own containers at the tanker. If you have mobility issues or cannot get to the tanker, call 311 and we will deliver jugs of water to your door.
For more information, see Rink conditions 2023.
Boil water notices
In rare cases, a major break may cause flooding or require us to shut off the line quickly. To keep you safe, we may issue a boil water notice. You will get a notice at your door or by email. If no one is home, a door knocker will be left. You must boil water for one minute before drinking, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or making ice. Do not drink from public fountains in the affected area. Use regular tap water for laundry. The notice usually ends within two days after testing shows the water is safe. A door knocker will confirm when the notice is lifted.
To get updates about planned maintenance or breaks, sign up for Service Alerts on our website. You can also check the Service Alerts page for current outages and repair updates in your neighbourhood.