Water and Sewer Services | Township of Woolwich

The Township of Woolwich 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.

Water and Sewer Emergencies

During Business Hours

Monday to Friday - 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Call 519-669-6043 or Email Infrastructure Services

After Hours

Outside of Monday to Friday - 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Region of Waterloo Call Centre - 519-575-4400

Water Shut Off

If you are doing work inside your home and require the water to be shut off please contact Infrastructure Services staff a minimum of 48 hours before you intend to start the project. Please note, interior plumbing projects require a building permit.

Water Issues

Some discoloration is expected after work to watermains is completed, or if you have been away from your home. The discolouration is from iron and manganese that occurs naturally in groundwater. Iron and manganese are not a health risk. The water is safe to drink; however, you should flush your lines until the water runs clear before you drink it.

If you're noticing discolouration, run the water from a tap close to your water meter for a few minutes. This will help flush the water through the pipes.

Also check if your water softener is working properly. Bright red or orange sediment coming through the taps could be the filter media from your water softener. In this case, you may need to contact a plumber or your water softener provider for assistance.

A water meter is required for any home or business connected to the municipal drinking water system. Water meters measure the amount of water used and are used to determine water and wastewater fees.

If the recorded water use changes suddenly for no obvious reason, contact Infrastructure Services so it can be investigated right away.

If you suspect a leak, please follow these steps:

Turn off all water-consuming appliances inside and outside your home.
Read your meter. If the red triangle on your meter is spinning, water is flowing through the meter.

If there is a leak at the water meter, please contact the Infrastructure Services right away. Email Infrastructure Services or call 519-669-6043.

You may experience low water pressure if there is hydrant flushing in your neighbourhood, or if work is being done to the watermains (this can be planned or emergency). However, low water pressure is usually related to your water softener or heater.

Low Water Pressure - Cold Water Only

If low water pressure relates to your cold water, check to see if your water softener is working properly.

Look for:

What time your water softener is set to cycle
Whether your softener seems to be cycling continuously
Whether there is water draining from your softener (often into a laundry or utility sink)
Whether you see water leaking from the pipes leading into the softener

If any of the above apply, you can try switching the bypass valve (leading into the softener) to the "on" position. If the pressure is then restored when cold water is run to another tap, the issue is likely with your softener, and you may need to contact a plumber or your water softener provider for assistance.

Low Water Pressure - Hot Water Only

If low water pressure relates to your hot water, check to see if your water heater is working properly.

Look for:

Whether you see water leaking from the pipes leading into your water heater
Whether the valve for your water heater is fully open

If the pressure is not restored, you may need to contact a plumber or your water heater provider for assistance.

Other Water Pressure Issues

If you're noticing water pressure issues leading only to a few areas of your home, the issue may be relating to internal plumbing, such as a clogged pipe or debris in the water lines. You can also check whether the aerators on your sink, tub or shower faucets need to be cleaned. You may need to contact a plumber for assistance.

If you're unsure, you can also contact the Township (519-669-1647 ext. 6043) for guidance.

Drinking Water

Municipal Water Systems

The Township strives to provide safe and secure infrastructure for all residents. Water service is a two-tier system. Water from the ground and the Grand River is treated to drinking water standards by the Region of Waterloo and then delivered to your home, business or industry through the Township watermains. We share responsibility with the Region to regularly test water and ensure that we are meeting or exceeding the standards set out by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

There are currently 4 separate water distribution systems in the Township of Woolwich and these systems are categorized as large, based on population. Those four systems are: Breslau, Heidelberg, Maryhill and Woolwich North.

The Breslau Distribution System receives water from the Kitchener Well Supply, which is part of the Integrated Urban System. The Integrated Urban System is owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo.
The Heidelberg Distribution System receives water from the Heidelberg Well Supply System. The Heidelberg Well Supply System is owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo. The Heidelberg Distribution System also provides water to the Township of Wellesley.
The Maryhill distribution system receives water from the Maryhill Well Supply, the Maryhill Well is owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo.
The Woolwich North distribution system receives water from the Waterloo Well Supply, which is part of the Integrated Urban System. The Integrated Urban System is owned and operated by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The Woolwich North distribution system includes parts of the Elmira, St. Jacobs, Conestogo, and West Montrose settlements.

The Township of Woolwich does not own or operate the water storage facilities servicing these systems.

The Township of Woolwich’s distribution system does not provide treatment to the water; therefore, there is no chlorine boosting, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, secondary disinfection, and pressure boosting or pressure control within the control of the water distribution system.

Copies of the the Township of Woolwich's QMS (Quality Management System) Operational Plan are available at the Township Office located at 24 Church St. West, Elmira ON at the Engineering counter.

Annual Drinking Water Summary Reports

The Township monitors the water quality weekly across the water distribution systems and responds directly to customer inquiries and complaints.

The Township completes annual drinking water reports for each distribution system:

Breslau
Heidelberg
Maryhill
Woolwich North (Elmira, Conestogo, St Jacobs and West Montrose)

Annual drinking water summary reports are also completed by the Region of Waterloo, City of Waterloo and City of Kitchener for the respective water distribution systems.

Quality Management System Policy

October 20th, 2022 - Revision 6

The Township of Woolwich receives treated drinking water from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and is responsible for the distribution of treated drinking water to consumers in:

Woolwich North Distribution System
Maryhill Heights and Isley Distribution System
Breslau Distribution System
Heidelberg Distribution System

The Corporation of the Township of Woolwich and the Water & Wastewater Operations Division are committed to:

Providing safe drinking water by collaborating with our consumers and the Region of Waterloo
Maintaining and improving the Quality Management System for the drinking water distribution systems
Complying with all applicable legislation and regulations
Communicating openly and effectively to the public concerning matters of drinking water quality

Municipal Drinking Water Licence and Drinking Water Works Permit

See below for the respective licences and permits for the Township's water systems:

Water Ontario Regulation 453-07 Financial Plan

Lead Testing

The Township has a proactive program that analyzes lead levels in our drinking water. This program meets The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) requirements for lead sampling of drinking water systems. The Township is currently within a reduced sampling / exemption period for lead testing.

If you require any additional information regarding lead, please visit our Lead Water Services webpage.

Private Water Systems

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.

For more information, please visit the Region of Waterloo's Drinking Water page.

Sample bottles are available at the Township Administration building, they can be picked up any day during the week but only returned to the office on Tuesday's.

Source Water Protection

Information regarding the Source Protection Plan can be obtained from the Region of Waterloo.

Water Softener Facts and Hardness

Information regarding water softeners and the hardness of the water in the area can be found at the Region of Waterloo's Water Softener Facts page.

Sanitary Sewer

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 Infrastructure Services to evaluate the situation and determine how we can assist you or determine if you need to contact a plumber.

The Township of Woolwich - Corporate Sewer Lateral Policy

Storm Sewer

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 Township is ensuring storm sewers do not get blocked, do not deposit debris or rake leaves onto the roadway.