Water Distribution Services

Water Main Flushing

Throughout the year, the City of Barrie will be cleaning and flushing the water main in designated areas. What you will see are Water Operations staff operating and monitoring two hydrants running water at the same time to clean up the inside of the water main.

If customers notice their water discoloured we suggest running the cold water tap (preferably a laundry tub or bath tub tap with no screen) for approximately 5 - 10 minutes to clear any discolouration.

Operation of Main Valve for filling Water Mains/Services

• To arrange for a water main filling, please call the Water Operations Branch to book your necessary appointment.
• There will be added fees if the service call exceeds an hour. These fees will cover the time our City staff are at the location, the vehicle and the materials used.

Who Do I Call if I Have Any Questions?

If, after a main flushing event, the water is still discoloured, please call Water Operations Branch at (705) 739-4220 Ext. 4805 between 8:30am to 4:30pm or (705) 739-4255 after hours. If you have any questions or comments regarding this work, please feel free to call:

Chris Harper , Supervisor of Water Distribution Services at (705) 739-4220 Ext. 4809 or by email at charper@barrie.ca

Cost: $70.00 per hour for up to one hour (service call).

Water Main Swabbing

The Water Operations Branch of the Environmental Services Department is committed to the delivery of safe drinking water that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements as well as customer expectations. This requires that the distribution infrastructure be maintained such that it can continue to optimize these priorities as well as perform in times of emergency.

The City of Barrie conducts a ‘Water Main Swabbing Program’ in the spring and/or fall of each year as a means to clean the system watermains and is considered the best way to improve water quality and increase the reliability of the water distribution system.

Swabbing involves scouring the watermain with foam swabs and high velocity water. These swabs are injected at a hydrant and pushed along the watermain to be removed further down the main through another fire hydrant. The fast moving water scours and cleans the mains. The hydrants are left open until the water runs clear. This helps to keep your water clean, fresh and flowing freely.

The procedure requires that water to services be off briefly while the section of watermain to be cleaned is isolated. During cleaning the pressure will be reduced considerably and customers are asked not to run water during this time. Once the watermain has been cleaned, normal pressure will be restored. Due to their location, some customers will be impacted more than once. Discoloured water within private services is a possibility after swabbing is complete and corrective actions have been communicated. In addition, there will be contact information for affected owners should they have any questions once the work has been completed.

The spring 2012 Swabbing Program will begin the evening of May 13th, 2012 with a planned duration of approximately 3 weeks. The first phase of swabbing will be of mains centered in the area of Royal Victoria Hospital: Bell Farm Road, Alliance Boulevard, Duckworth Street, Georgian Drive and Gallie Court. The second phase will focus in the Letitia Heights area: Edge Hill Drive to Livingstone; Sunnidale Road to Benson Drive and Northview Crescent.

Most of the work will be completed during the daytime hours, with occasional nighttime work due to the needs of special facilities like hospitals and nursing homes, etc. Most homes and businesses will only be affected once however some homes and businesses could be affected two or more times, due to the location of main valves hydrants and service connections. A separate notice will be sent for each occasion.

Added to our program this year is the piloting of a ‘Green Vest Initiative’. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure efficient and effective response to customer inquiries. A Water Operations staff member, knowledgeable in drinking water aspects as well as swabbing procedures and impacts, will be on site to serve as an immediate resource to address public concerns.

Will My Services be Affected?

All affected residents will receive a written notice delivered 48 hours in advance, with instructions to follow before, during and after the work is done.

Customers in the area being cleaned are cautioned to refrain from drawing any water for any purpose until the cleaning of that section of water main is completed to avoid drawing discoloured water into their plumbing.

• Please refrain from running any water in your building for any reason during the times specified on the notice.
• Please REFRAIN from flushing toilets or turning on any taps.
• SUGGESTIONS:
  • Fill containers for drinking and cooking prior to the date identified on your notice.
  • Fill bath tub for sanitary flushing of toilets prior to the date identified on your notice. A half (½) bucket of water poured into the toilet bowl will create a flushing effect.
  • Turn the shut off valve OFF at your meter to ensure no water is used by accidental flushing or turning on of taps.
  • Put water softeners on bypass to prevent recycling during the process and avoid excessive amounts of iron or manganese through the media filter. Leave off for several hrs after the prescribed outage.
  • When water is restored run a cold water tap in the laundry tub or bath tub for 5 – 10 minutes to clear the water service from the street into your building.
  • If the water does not clear after 30 minutes, or if you have reduced pressure or flow, please call the Green Vest Representative at the contact number below.

General questions can be directed to the Environmental Services Department, Water Operations Branch at telephone number 705-792-7920.

If you have questions regarding the notice you received, or if you have experienced a problem stemming from the water main swabbing, please call the Green Vest Representative at 739-4220 Ext 6149 or Cell Phone 705-730-3738.

Watermain Cleaning and Swabbing Program

What are watermains?

Watermains are underground pipes that carry water from the water wells and pumping stations to your street.

Why do you swab watermains?

Swabbing the mains helps preserve the very high quality of water as it passes from our drinking water wells and pumping stations to your taps. Hardness that is naturally found in ground water (namely iron) builds up on the walls of watermains.

How do you clean the watermains?

Foam swabs are injected into the main via a fire hydrant. The swab is forced through the watermain using water pressure and removed from another hydrant. This action removes hardness from the inner walls of the pipe and is flushed out behind the swab. The process is repeated until all hardness is removed.

When do you swab the watermains?

Swabbing occurs usually for a 2 to 3 week period each spring. Sometimes it may also be undertaken in the fall. Complete swabbing of the entire water system takes 10 to 12 years to complete before the process is repeated. 25km to 40km of main are swabbed each year.

Do you clean watermains on weekends and holidays?

The regular work shift for our Water Services crews is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, work is sometimes carried out during the overnight to accommodate water sensitive facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and large industrial/commercial facilities.

How can I find out if you will be cleaning the watermains in my area of the City this year?

Our 2012 watermain Swabbing Program map indicates which areas we are cleaning.

How many watermains are you cleaning this year?

There are about 320 kilometres of watermains in Barrie. We are cleaning about 40 kilometres of watermains this year, which is equivalent to about 13% of the watermains in Barrie.

How will I know when you are cleaning the watermains on my street?

A notice will be delivered to your home at least 48 hours before.

If you live in a house.
A door knocker will be hand delivered to your front door or mailbox two days before we clean the watermains on your street. The door knocker will contain a letter with more information on the program and the day and time of swabbing on your street.
If you live in an apartment.
Your property manager/landlord will be notified two days in advance, when the work will commence and how long it will take. Notices will be left for posting in the building.
If you operate a business.
You will be contact at least two days in advance to let you know when the work will begin and how long it will take.

Will my water be turned off when you clean the watermains?

The water will be off briefly the section of watermain to be cleaned is isolated. During cleaning the pressure will be reduced considerably. Once the watermain has been cleaned, normal pressure will be restored.

How long does it take to clean the watermains on each street?

It takes approximately 2 hours to swab the watermains on each street. Some streets may be affected for 4 or more hours due to their location within the system. A few homes and businesses will be affected two or more times during the process. This is due to their location within the system. A separate notice will be delivered for each day they are to be affected.

Can I use my water when you are cleaning the watermains on my street?

Do not use your water or flush your toilet when we are cleaning the watermains on your street. Using your water or flushing your toilet could draw sediment and discoloured water into the water pipes in your home/building and into water filters, washing machines, hot water tanks, etc. Turn off any time-delayed water systems, such as dishwashers, coffee makers, and lawn sprinklers.

Apartment property managers, landlords and business operators.
We recommend that you turn off the water supply to the entire building using the water shut-off valve at your water meter (usually found in the mechanical room). This will help prevent sediment and discoloured water from entering the water pipes in your building and getting into you water systems, and will keep water from draining out of your system.

Will I notice anything different about my water after you have cleaned the watermains?

Immediately after cleaning, your water may be discoloured. Water is sometimes discoloured after watermain cleaning, but this should not last long. Do not use discoloured water for any purposes that require clean water, such as preparing food and beverages, medical and dental procedures, or laundry.

• Turn on a cold water tap and let the water run for a few minutes. Do not choose a tap that has a water filter connected to it, or the sediment may clog your filter. Do not use a hot water tap because it could draw sediment into your hot water tank.
• Catch some water in a light-coloured cup or container to see if it is clear. You can use your water if it is clear.
• If the water doesn’t clear in 5 minutes, wait 30 minutes and try again.

Apartment property managers, landlords and business operators.
Before your turn your water back on to the building, we recommend that you:

• Turn on a cold water tap near the water shut off valve (e.g., a tap in the mop sink in the maintenance room) and let the water run for a few minutes.
• Catch some water in a light-coloured cup or container to see if it is clear.
• Restore water to the rest of the building if the water is clear.

Your water may also be cloudy or smell of chlorine.

Cloudy Water.
Water is cloudy because air captured in the water makes tiny bubbles. These bubbles are harmless and will disappear if you let the water sit for a few minutes.

Chlorine Smell.
We add enough chlorine to the water to keep it safe. You can easily get rid of the chlorine taste and smell by filling a container with water and keeping it in the fridge for drinking – much of the chlorine will leave the water over night.

What should I do if the water is still discoloured after 2 to 3 hours?

Please call our office at 705-739-4220 ext: 4805 for assistance.

What if someone accidentally drinks the water when it is discoloured?

Drinking discoloured water should not make you sick, however, it may not smell, taste, or look pleasant. We will be monitoring the water clarity and chlorine residual in the watermains.

Where will you drain the water used in the cleaning program?

In the area we are cleaning this year, the water will be discharged to the street catch basins which typically flow to the land drainage system. An environmentally friendly product (Sodium Thiosulfate) will be used to remove the chlorine from the water before it is discharged to the catch basins. Prior to discharge onto the street the water passes through a filter cloth to remove much of the sediment.

Do other cities have similar watermain cleaning programs?

Many cities have some type of swabbing program to clean their watermains.

Hydrants

Fire Protection Charges

Each private fire hydrant is supplied with water from the municipal water system at a cost of $124.00 each per year.

Each fire connection (sprinkler, standpipe) to the water main is $124.00 per year.

Hydrant Flow Test

At the request of insurance companies, the City will conduct a Hydrant Flow Test in order to test the fire hydrant's pressure and water flow in the specified area.

Hydrant Gate Valves Daily Use

Information required when requesting the use of a hydrant gate valve:

• Where is the gate valve to be installed?
• Hydrant # required
• Who is the contractor?
• What is the contact name and phone number?
• Who will be billed?
• What is the purpose of hydrant use?

To prevent vandalism, Hydrant Gate valves for day use will not be left on overnight.

Cost: $165.00 + GST

If a Hydrant Gate Valve is required after hours, overtime charges apply:

• 2 hour minimum call-out after 4:00pm Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays.
• Same procedure for removal.
• Overtime is also charged for the vehicle (2 hours minimum charge).

Hydrant Metered Gate Valves (HMGV)

• Installation of a Hydrant Metered Gate Valve is dependent upon their availability. In order to obtain a HMGV, please follow the process below:
  1. With a HMGV installed, contractors are able to use the hydrant since the device measures the amount of water used and provides a backflow preventer to avoid creating a cross connection.
  2. To obtain a HMGV, please visit the Operations Centre at 165 Ferndale Dr. North.
  3. You will be required to complete a form and provide a deposit.
  4. After completion of the confirmation process, an operator will install a HMGV.
• It is an expectation that the customer will accept any responsibilities associated with this installation as per the 'Terms of Agreement'.
  • a key will be supplied to the contractor for operation of the meter.
  • The contractor assumes full responsibility for any damages incurred to the fire hydrant and/or meter valve or theft of meter valve by any person or persons unknown.
  • The contractor shall indemnify the City of Barrie against all loss, expenses, penalties, damages, condemnations and law costs which the City of Barrie may suffer or may be required to pay for personal injuries (including death) and/or property damage suffered by any person by reason of the equipment or operation, handling or use thereof by or while in the hands of the contractor.
  • After completion of the 'Requirements', the customer will be issued one key for access to the unit (HMGV).
  • The City of Barrie will install the unit at the agreed location.
  • The Customer will advise the City of Barrie when HMGV is no longer required and return the key to the Operations Centre, 165 Ferndale Drive North.

A Deposit of $1,500.00 either cash, cheque, debit, VISA, MasterCard shall be paid at City of Barrie Operations Centre (165 Ferndale Drive North). The City of Barrie will record water usage and calculate an invoice for the customer. Costs are as follows:

• $70.00 for Install
• $70.00 for Removal
• $70.00 for each request to have the hydrant metered gate valve moved to a different hydrant location
• A cost per m3 of water used (2009 rate is $1.84/m3)

These costs will be calculated and deducted from deposit and the remainder will be refunded, or if over $1,500.00 invoiced.