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Utilities

For information about water and sewer serviced provided by the Township of North Glengarry, please navigate the menu options below.  

You can also contact the Water Works Department at 613-525-3087

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS CONSUMING WATER FROM THE  GLEN ROBERTSON WATER SYSTEM

Input Drinking Water Quality Notice

October 3, 2022 -

Recent routine testing of the drinking water from the Glen Robertson Drinking Water System revealed that the sodium level was exceeding the upper limits of the recommended levels. The amount of sodium in water is normally not a significant problem for most people. However, excess sodium can be a health problem for individuals who require a sodium restricted diet due to a variety of medical reasons. Please be advised that anyone using drinking water from the Glen Robertson Drinking Water System that requires a reduced sodium diet should consult their family physician regarding any precautions that he or she might suggest. 

Drinking Water

Though it may look clean, untreated water could contain micro-organisms, microscopic contaminants that might be harmful to people and pets.  That’s why we treat every single drop of water in our drinking water systems and continuously sample and test it to make sure you don’t have to worry when you open your tap.  Our drinking water systems are rigorously inspected and audited annually, in accordance with all provincial regulation, policies and standards. 

Water taken from surface waters and/or underground wells is used to provide people with drinking water for every day usage is referred to as source water.  Changes to the Ontario Clean Water Act (Bill 43) required all municipalities and stakeholders to develop and maintain watershed-based source protection plans, in order to protect these waters from contamination and overuse thereby ensuring renewable sources now and into the future. 

In 2015, in conjunction with the Raisin River and South Nation Conservation Authority a Source Water Protection Plan was created and implemented.   

Please view the links below for more information.

In accordance with standards and regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Township of North Glengarry has created and implemented a Quality Management System to help reduce risks associated with the production and delivery of safe and reliable drinking water. The operational plan in place covers the Alexandria Drinking Water System as well as the Glen Robertson Drinking Water System and it assures a preventative approach to providing quality drinking water as well as the long-term sustainability of the systems.    

The QMS policy is an element within the plan, which has been endorsed by the Owner, Top Management  and Operational Staff and reads as follows:

The Township of North Glengarry is committed to:

  • Providing a safe and reliable supply of drinking water to all customers,
  • Meeting and striving to exceed regulatory requirements during the production and distribution of drinking water
  • Acting quickly to mitigate and resolve water quality issues as the arise from time to time
  • Maintaining and striving for continually improve the QMS as a whole
  • Ensuring open communications through various levels from the consumer to the owner concerning matters of drinking eater quality

By having the QMS in place, the Township is meeting the requirements of having an accredited Operation Authority in place, as per the third party accreditation requirements through the Standard.    

Open a new window to download the Drinking Water Quality Management System Report.

For additional information on the North Glengarry Township DWQMS or Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, please click on the links below.

The Township of North Glengarry owns and operates two distinct operational subsystems, as listed below.  Even though the systems are independent from each other, they share common ownership, management and operational staffing.    

  1. The Alexandria Drinking Water System  
  • Alexandria Water Treatment Plant  
  • Alexandria Distribution System and Water Tower  
  • The Alexandria-Maxville Transmission Main and Booster System  
  • Maxville Water Tower and Distribution System  
  1. The Glen Robertson Drinking Water System  
  • Glen Robertson Water Treatment Plant  
  • Glen Robertson Distribution System  

As required through the Ontario Drinking Water Protection Regulations, The North Glengarry Township publishes the Drinking Water Systems Annual and Summary Reports once and approved.  These reports provide valuable information on treatment and distribution processes, continued sampling and monitoring results and various system summaries.    

Please refer below to access this report and note any additional information about the Drinking Water Systems can be obtained, if required.  Please submit all requests to enviro@northglengarry.ca  

Alexandria Drinking Water System (including Alexandria and Maxville) 

  • 2024 Alexandria Drinking Water System Annual and Summary Report (available Feb 2025)
  • 2023 Alexandria Drinking Water System Annual and Summary Report 
  • 2022 Alexandria Drinking Water System Annual and Summary Report 

Glen Robertson Drinking Water System

  • 2024 Glen Robertson Well Supply System Annual and Summary Report (available Feb 2025) 
  • 2023 Glen Robertson Well Supply System Annual and Summary Report
  • 2022 Glen Robertson Well Supply System Annual and Summary Report 

North Glengarry's residential water is on a metered system, billed every two months, and commercial billed every month.

If 30m³ is exceeded, the following overage charges will apply:

  • $1.94/m³(water)                                                                              
  • $1.10/m³ (sewer)

Residential Water Rate for 30m³ of water is:

$141.56/per 2 months

Residential Sewer Rate for 30m³ of sewage is

$72.44/per 2 months

Water meters track water usage and ensure customers are billed accurately. Every household, business and facility located within municipal boundaries and connected to the water distribution system is equipped with a water meter.  

The North Glengarry Water Works Department maintains the water meter providing you take precautions not to damage it. It is illegal to tamper with a water meter and residents cannot change water meters themselves, to ensure billing system integrity is maintained. 

Residents will be notified by phone or letter when their meter is malfunctioning, or if billing inconsistencies are observed, as a service appointment is required to inspect, verify and repair potential problems.  Some common causes of leaks are:

Possible Cause of Leak Intermittent Leak Continuous Leak
Outside faucet, garden or sprinkler system leaking X X
Toilet valve not sealed properly X X
Toilet running    
Faucet in kitchen or bathroom leaking X X
Ice maker leaking   X
Soaker hose in use   X
Leak between the water meter and the house   X
Washing machine leaking X X
Dishwasher leaking X X
Hot water heater leaking   X
Watering yard for more than 8 hrs X X
Continuous pet feeder   X
Water-cooled air conditioner or heat pump X X
Filling a swimming pool   X
Any continuous use of water for 24 hrs   X

 

Distribution Water Main

The Water Works department maintains water mains by regularly flushing, relining and replacing selected sections during annual construction work.  Occasionally, due to extreme temperatures or ageing infrastructure, water mains can break. If you suspect a water main has broken, please call Water Works 24hrs Emergency line at 613-551-0429. 

When a water main breaks, Operational staff respond quickly to locate and repair the break. During that time, nearby properties may experience a disruption in water service. Disconnection from water is temporary. When properties are affected by a water main break, notice is provided by hand-delivered letters and using our municipal alert system.  

Water is safe to drink during a water main break unless otherwise indicated. Boil water advisories are issued by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, and all affected residents must be notified directly in the event a BWA is issued.   

Wastewater

Each time water is used through daily activities, (ei: flushing toilets, washing dishes, doing laundry), when that “used” water goes down the drain, it enters an underground pipe system which leads into the municipal sanitary sewer system.  In the municipal sewer system, the Township of North Glengarry has the responsibility to collect and treat all wastewater, prior to being released back into the environment.  Our wastewater systems are reviewed and inspected, in accordance with all provincial regulation, policies and standards. 

The Township of North Glengarry owns and operates 2 distinct operational subsystems, as listed below.  Even though the systems are independent from each other, they share common ownership, management and operational staffing.    

The Alexandria Wastewater System

  • Alexandria Collection Piping and Manholes 
  • Leroux Lift Station
  • Bishop Lift Station
  • Sandfield Lift Station
  • Alexandria Main Pumping Station
  • Alexandria Lagoon Treatment Facility 

The Maxville Wastewater System 

  • Maxville Collection Piping and Manholes 
  • Manor Lift Station
  • Maxville Main Pumping Station
  • Maxville Lagoon Treatment Facility  

The sewer pipe that carries the “used water” from the plumbing fixtures and floor drains inside your home or business to the sanitary sewer main is call a sewer lateral.  The property owner is responsible for maintaining the sewer lateral from inside the building to the property line. 

The municipal system is an extensive network of wastewater collection piping, starting from the property line and running under streets and/or through public easements, in conjunction with sewage pumping stations, which are solely designed to transport wastewater towards the sewage lagoon treatment facilities. 

Key Points to remember

  • Toilets are not trashcans, remember only 3 P’s should be flushed down any toilet: Pee / Poo / Toilet Paper 
  • If you see or suspect a sewage overflow from a manhole on the street, report the problem to the Water Works On-Call Operator (613-551-0429) to report the issue
  • Municipal Workers will inspect sewer mains to verify the overflow and repair issues as required.  

In the event of a sewage lateral blockage, the property owner is encouraged to call a licensed plumber to clean or remove blockage 

  • If the problem is found to be on private property, the owner is responsible to address the problem at their cost 
  • It is strongly encouraged to have sewer lateral inspected by CCTV and located by plumber, if possible, to help determine the exact location of problem 
  • If problem is suspected to be in the municipal section of the sewer lateral or sewer pipe,  
  • Property owner should reach out to the Water Works On-Call Operator (613-551-0429) to report the issue, asap 
  • Water Works Department will schedule to repair as soon as possible, with no cost to the owner.  The owner must ensure to maintain the sewer lateral until the repairs can be completed by following any instructions given to prevent further blockages 

Occasionally the main sewer pipes or the sewer lateral becomes blocked, and the sewage is unable to flow.  The blockage in the pipe can be caused by:

  • a buildup of grease, debris or foreign objects in the laterals or mains, 
  • partial or complete blockage caused by tree roots, 
  • the collapse or misalignment of old deteriorated sewer pipes, and/or
  • excess water entering the sewer system from inflow of rainwater during severe wet weather conditions or from illegal drain connections to the sewer system. 

The blockage causes the sewage flow to "backup" or "overflow" to the first upstream outlet, which is most commonly a city manhole, but sometimes may be a low elevation fixture (such as a bathtub drain) in a private address. 

Regular maintenance is strongly recommended in order to maintain a properly functioning sewer. 

Do:

  • Collect grease in a container and dispose in the garbage. 
  • Place food scraps in the garbage for disposal with solid waste.
  • Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste (disposable diapers and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system).
  • Consult a plumber to investigate the condition of your sewer lateral if you have noticed sewage odours within the house, even if you have not experienced a backup or overflow.
  • Consult a plumber to undo any illegal non-sewage plumbing connections to the sewer lateral. 

Don't:

  • Do not pour grease, fats and oils from cooking down the drain. 
  • Do not use the sewer to dispose of food scraps.
  • Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket for garbage or chemicals. These items can kill "good" bacteria used in sewage treatment and cost much more to treat.
  • Do not plant trees with shallow, spreading root systems near your sewer lateral. Tree roots seek water sources, such as cracked sewer lines. Once the roots have penetrated the line through cracks, the roots can create a dense mat and trap materials.
  • Do not connect backyard drains, sump pumps and other drainage systems to the sanitary sewer line. It's illegal and can cause the capacity of the mainline to be exceeded during heavy rains. 

As required through the Ontario Water Resources Act, the environmental Protection Act and each wastewater system Environmental Compliance Approval, The North Glengarry Township publishes the Annual Wastewater System Reports once approved.  These reports provide valuable information on the collection and treatment processes, sampling and monitoring results and various system summaries.    

Please refer below to access this report and note any additional information about the Drinking Water Systems can be obtained, if required.  Please submit all requests to enviro@northglengarry.ca. 

Alexandria Wastewater System*

  • 2024 Alexandria Wastewater System Annual Report (available Feb 2025) 
  • 2023 Alexandria Wastewater System Annual Report
  • 2022 Alexandria Wastewater System Annual Report 

Maxville Wastewater System

  • 2024 Maxville Wastewater System Annual Report (available Feb 2025) 
  • 2023 Maxville Wastewater System Annual Report
  • 2022 Maxville Wastewater System Annual Report 

Fire Hydrants

The North Glengarry Water Works Department maintains, inspects and operates approximately 250 fire hydrants within the Alexandria Water Distribution System, located within Alexandria, Maxville and along the connecting Transmission Main.   

Seasonal hydrant flushing is completed as part of our regular maintenance activities to ensure water quality, consistent flows and note any deficiencies for repair.   

During hydrant flushing, residents who live nearby may observe sediment in their water, or the water may temporarily turn brown or rust-coloured. Some nearby homes may also experience reduced water pressure until the flushing is complete.  Follow the steps below if issues are observed: 

  • If you notice sediment or that your water is discoloured, run the cold-water taps in your home until the discolouration disappears.  
  • Do not drink the discolored water or do laundry until the discolouration disappears. Discoloured water is not harmful to your health, but it can stain laundry. 
  • If issues persist longer than 30 minutes, report issues through  Access E11 system or call the On-call Operational Staff at 613-551-0429 

After a major snow event, Water Works Staff and appointed contractors will do their best to clear snow from around fire hydrants as soon as possible. This process can take some time, especially if there are multiple major snow events in a short period of time. 

You can help by clearing snow from around a hydrant on or near your property and be sure to avoid piling snow from your driveway next to hydrants. If hydrants are buried in snow, this could seriously delay the North Glengarry Fire Department’s ability to respond quickly to a fire. A little proactive work could save precious seconds in case of emergency! 

If you notice a damaged or leaking fire hydrant, you can report the problem here, or call our Water Works 24hrs Emergency line at 613-551-0429. 

Wells and Septic

Many rural residents and commercial users have and must maintain private well and septic systems to on their property to treat their wastewater. The North Glengarry Water Works Department does not maintain, test or repair any parts within these systems.   

WELLS

Many rural residents and commercial users are supplied source water through private wells on their property.  The North Glengarry Water Works Department does not maintain, test or repair any parts within these systems. Private wells fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment. Well Water Samples can be submitted to Eastern Ontario Health Unit. All repairs should be completed by a licensed plumber.   

SEPTIC

Private septic system falls under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Building Code. Any construction or renovations must be approved thorough Building Department. All installation, repairs and maintenance should be completed by a licensed plumber, or septic service professional. 

Sump Pump Connections

Sump pumps are generally installed in basements or crawlspaces that are prone to flooding due to high groundwater levels, caused by spring thaw, heavy or extended rainfalls and/or improper natural drainage or pooling.   

Once the water level exceeds the foundation drain, the groundwater will be directed into the sump pump collection pit and the pump will move the water from the pit to the discharge point away from the building, in order to prevent flooding.   

Connecting the sump pump to the sanitary sewer lateral is illegal.  The impacts of illegal sump pump connections are often observed during spring thaw or heavy or extended rain events, as it causes the sanitary sewer system to become overwhelmed leading to increased sewer back ups and emergency sanitary sewer overflows to the natural environment.   

Here are some tips for making sure your sump pump is connected properly: 

  • Avoid connecting to a basement drain or laundry tub, as these drains are connected to the sanitary sewer. 
  • If sump pump is illegally connected, contact plumber to disconnect and reroute discharge to the yard or storm sewer, allow rainwater to soak into the ground naturally.
  • Extend downspouts away from your house, be sure to drain at least two meters away from your foundation, on top of the lawn.
  • Protect your discharge hose from freezing in the winter.
  • Have a backup power source to ensure pump operation in case the power fails. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Check for the following: toilet running, taps dripping, taps outside left on or not shut off all the way, sump pumps that use water to pump water (not legal) or an outdated water softener. 

A variety of payment options are available. To learn more, please visit our Billing page.

Please contact the Public Works Department at 613-525-3087 as soon as you begin to experience a backup or observe an overflow from a sewer manhole into the street. Municipal Works crews will first check the Township's sewer main to verify that the pipe is open and sewage is flowing.

If the sewer main is found to be clear, the property owner is encouraged to call a plumber or pipe cleaning company to remove the blockage. When a problem is suspected concerning the portion of the private sewer lateral, the owner is required to provide at their cost, a video inspection of their sewer lateral in order to identify the problem.

The owner must also provide the location of the lateral to assist the Township in determining the location of the problem section. You can find many pipe cleaning companies and plumbers to assist with these services.

Regular maintenance is strongly recommended in order to maintain a properly functioning sewer.

Do:

  • Collect grease in a container and dispose in the garbage.
  • Place food scraps in the garbage for disposal with solid waste.
  • Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste (disposable diapers and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system).
  • Consult a plumber to investigate the condition of your sewer lateral if you have noticed sewage odours within the house, even if you have not experienced a backup or overflow.
  • Consult a plumber to undo any illegal non-sewage plumbing connections to the sewer lateral.

Don't:

  • Do not pour grease, fats and oils from cooking down the drain.
  • Do not use the sewer to dispose of food scraps.
  • Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket for garbage or chemicals. These items can kill "good" bacteria used in sewage treatment and cost much more to treat.
  • Do not plant trees with shallow, spreading root systems near your sewer lateral. Tree roots seek water sources, such as cracked sewer lines. Once the roots have penetrated the line through cracks, the roots can create a dense mat and trap materials.
  • Do not connect backyard drains, sump pumps and other drainage systems to the sanitary sewer line. It's illegal and can cause the capacity of the mainline to be exceeded during heavy rains.

Chloramination has been added to remedy the problem of low free chlorine residuals in the distribution system. Chloramine is a more stable and persistent disinfectant. It preserves the quality of the purified water as it travels through the water distribution system. Chloramine helps to reduce disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THM’s) in the water, and also reduces the taste and odour of chlorine in tap water. 

You can learn more about Chloramines here.

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