(Barrie, ON) – The City of Barrie is observing Drinking Water Week from May 4 to 10, highlighting the essential role of tap water in daily life, the infrastructure that delivers it to homes and businesses, and the critical work of water professionals who ensure its safety and reliability.
“Barrie’s water is thoroughly treated, regularly tested, and monitored 24/7 to ensure it consistently meets the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements,” said Diane Moreau, Manager of Water Operations. “With thousands of samples collected each year and 80 dedicated City staff working behind the scenes, residents can trust that their tap water is safe. Drinking Water Week is a chance to appreciate and learn what it takes to bring safe and reliable drinking water to residents.”
To recognize Drinking Water Week, Water Operations staff will be providing free public tours of the Surface Water Treatment Plant (20 Royal Parkside Drive) on Wednesday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tours will last approximately one hour; please arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the tour begins.
Barrie gets its water from both groundwater and surface water sources. The distribution system, consisting of approximately 4,200 hydrants and 695 km of watermain, reliably provides safe drinking water to the community. In 2024, the City produced almost 14,800 million litres of drinking water.
Everyone can play a role in keeping Barrie’s drinking water safe by taking care of where our water comes from. You can also connect with City staff at the Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch on May 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discover how you can help protect our drinking water at the source. Join the fun, ask questions, and learn simple actions you can take to keep our water clean and safe for everyone. Whether you are a home or business owner, learn about simple steps you can take each day to help protect drinking water by visiting barrie.ca/SourceWaterProtection.
To learn more about Barrie’s drinking water, watch the drinking water treatment and distribution video or visit barrie.ca/WaterTreatment.
