Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution

During summer months, you may see City staff or contractors: 

• Operating hydrants to ensure they are properly functioning and completing any necessary repairs.
• Priming, repainting and numbering hydrants (a percentage of hydrants are done each year on a rotational schedule). The primer coat is a grey colour. Painting crews return shortly after to apply the final colour coat.
• Replacing damaged or missing flexible markers (winter fire hydrant markers) to ensure the hydrants remain visible and accessible throughout the winter months. These markers stay on year-round.

During winter months, it is important to remove snow around hydrants so that they remain accessible in the event of a fire. Snow removal from public hydrants is performed proactively and upon request by a contractor that primarily works throughout the evening and/or early morning hours, but depending on the snowfall it's not always possible for the contractor to clear large amounts of fire hydrants in a timely manner. Please read full details about snow removal around hydrants.

Swabbing involves scouring the watermain with foam swabs and high-velocity water. These swabs are injected at a fire hydrant and pushed by water through the watermain, then removed further down the watermain through another hydrant. The hydrants are left open until the water runs clear.

Residences will be notified in person or via a placard attached to their door knobs approximately two days before the planned swabbing activity.

Businesses affected during the swabbing procedure will be visited in person by a representative of the Water Operations Branch before project commencement approximately two weeks prior to the planned swabbing activity.

If you have received a notice, the City is advising that no water be used during the times specified on the notice. In addition, the City is suggesting that your shut off valve be turned “OFF” at your meter, to prevent any water from being used.

Watermain swabbing occurs throughout the day, evening and weekend.

• The procedure requires that water be turned off briefly to affected homes or businesses while the section of watermain is isolated and swabbed; customers are asked not to run water
• Customers may experience some water discolouration for short durations following this maintenance

Impacted customers are advised to refer to these guidelines once watermain swabbing is completed:

• Turn on a cold water tap nearest to the water shut off valve 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.
• Collect some water in a light-coloured cup or container to see if it is clear. The water may be cloudy because air captured in the water forms tiny bubbles. These bubbles are harmless and will disappear if the water sits for a few minutes.  Proceed to use the water if it is clear. If the water does not clear in 5 minutes, wait 30 minutes and try again.
• If water is still discoloured, please call the Water Operations Branch at 705-792-7920.

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Do:

• Keep your hose ends clear of possible contaminants. 
• Install hose connection vacuum breakers on threaded faucets and hose connections at home. These devices are inexpensive, easily installed, and available at hardware stores! 
• Install an approved backflow prevention device on above-ground lawn irrigation systems. 

Don't: 

• Submerge hoses in buckets, pools, tubs, sinks, or ponds. 
• Use a hose to unplug a blocked drain. 
• Use chemical spray attachments without a backflow prevention device. 
• Directly connect waste pipes from water softeners to the sewer or submerged drainpipes. 

• Insulate pipes most prone to freezing, especially near outside walls, and in crawl spaces, the attic and garage. This can be done with foam pipe covers you can buy at building supply or home improvement stores.
• Seal air leaks in your home and garage to stop cold air from getting in. Check around windows and doors, electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.
• Outdoor faucets are the first to freeze. Unscrew any hoses, turn off the outdoor water supply and let the taps drain.
• If your pipes are prone to freezing, there may be a problem you cannot see. Consider contacting a plumber for advice on how best to protect your home.
• Commercial water customers can protect fire lines by wrapping all lines exposed to the cold.
   

You should also know where to find your main water shut-off valve, in case your pipes burst.

Did you know?  The possible appearance of coloured water and reduced pressure or flow are indicators of a service that is freezing.

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Keep all areas of your house warm, especially near the water meter, even when you’re away. If leaving for an extended period of time:
  • Close the main valve that supplies water to your internal plumbing. It is typically located in the basement on the foundation wall where the drinking water pipe enters your home. Once the valve is closed, open a cold water tap in the basement to drain any remaining water from the pipes.
  • Have someone check your home regularly.
• For your own peace of mind, you can choose to run a pencil-thin stream of water to ensure some water movement in the pipes. If you choose to do so, you will be charged for the water used (if you are connected to the City’s sanitary system). Use caution if running water while on a septic system, as it can fill and overflow. 
• Run cold water from the lowest point in the house, usually a laundry room sink or tub.
• Ensure the drain is kept clear of debris to prevent overflowing or flooding.
   

Learn about more ways to be prepared for severe winter weather.

Barrie residents and business owners have three options to have your pool filled with water:

• Use your own service, garden hose. This method will take several days to complete the fill and will impact your water bill.
• Book an appointment with Water Operations staff (705-792-7920). Staff will open and attend the hydrant closest to your pool. You provide the necessary 2.5” hose and attendance at the pool.
• Your pool contractor or maintenance team can also contact the Water Operations Branch (705-792-7920) on your behalf. Staff will open and attend the hydrant closest to the pool; the contractor will provide the hose, connection, attendance at the pool, and any traffic control measures required ie: hoses crossing streets and sidewalks.

Note: For a newly installed pool, there must be proof of the Building Department’s completed pool inspection on the premise. This proof must be in the form of a “Permit to Fill.” Please call Building Services (705-739-4212) for information.

The City has an automated bulk water filling station located at 165 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie. Contractors can fill water trucks using the automated station between the hours of 7am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. To obtain access to this station please call Water Operations at 705-792-7920. You will be asked to provide:

• company name
• company address
• contact name and phone number

With this information, a profile will be created for your company and access granted by way of a key code.

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A hydrant metered gate valve may be installed on a hydrant of your choice (within reason for safety and traffic flows) to provide a contractor access to water 24/7. To obtain a hydrant metered gate valve, please visit our office at 20 Royal Parkside Drive. Here you will:

• Sign the Terms of Agreement: Hydrant Extended Use Permit & if applicable, the Terms of Agreement: Cold Weather Hydrant Extended Use Permit (required during cold weather)
• Obtain a key
• Make an appointment for the installation
• Pay a deposit for the device

Please have with you the number of the hydrant that you wish to have the device attached to.

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A temporary metered device may be installed on a water service of a construction project to provide water for many processes such as concrete work. To obtain a temporary water supply please have the assigned visit our offices at 20 Royal Parkside Drive. Here you will:

• Sign the Terms of Agreement: Temporary Water Supply Permit
• Make an appointment for the installation
• Pay a deposit for the device

Please have with you the civic address of the construction site you wish to have the device installed in.

Yes, the source water impacts hardness levels. 

Essentially, areas serviced by the ground water system can expect to see a higher mineral content (hardness) with the range typically being 13–20 grains per gallon, while in the areas serviced by surface water an average hardness of 3–8 grains per gallon can be expected. (The “grains per gallon” value is generally used by softener manufacturers and installers and is referenced within the instruction manuals for softeners.) 

The reason for the increased hardness is due to the fact that ground water (in deep aquifers) has accumulated there over extremely long periods of time after filtering through layer upon layer of sand, soil, clay and rock, picking up various minerals like iron, calcium, manganese, etc.

For both drinking water sources, the water provided is of the highest quality and meets the regulatory requirements imposed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

No, Fluoride is not added to the water, however, small amounts can be naturally occurring.

Low water pressure can be caused by multiple factors including the following: 

• Water service pipe material and natural mineral build up 
• Water softener issues 
• Filtration devices 
• Internal shut off valve not fully in the “ON” position
• Curb box not open 100% 
• Dirty aerators (faucet screens) that need cleaning 

This can be due to construction or maintenance work in the area, in-home softening and filtration equipment, recent operation of in-home valves or plumbing work.  If you notice your water is discoloured, please run the cold water tap on your laundry tub or bath tub for approximately 5–10 minutes to clear any discolouration. If the water is still discoloured after this time, please contact Water Operations: 705-792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca. 

Odour can be caused by faucet aerators that need cleaning, sink p-trap issues, and in-home softening and filtration equipment. 

High water bills can be a result of leaks or malfunctioning equipment in the home such as:

• Irrigation systems
• Toilets, faucets 
• Water softeners & filtration devices
• Trap seal primers
• Humidifiers
• Outdoor taps

Every household in Barrie is equipped with an internal shut-off valve. This valve belongs to the homeowner, but the City can repair or replace the valve for a fee (per the Fees By-law, Schedule N). Please contact the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca for information and to book an appointment.

If your water meter is leaking, please contact the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca for information and to book an appointment.

If you need water turned off at the main City of Barrie water supply, please contact the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca for information and to book an appointment.

The City will turn water off at the curb stop for work to be completed at a property at the request of the homeowner or contractor for a fee (per the Fees By-law, Schedule N). If work is completed within an hour, one fee applies. If water operator needs to return to a property later in the day or on another day a second fee will apply.

If your curb box cap is missing, or raised in your driveway or in the boulevard, please contact the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca for information and to have your name placed on the repair list.

Please contact the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca to report water bubbling out of the ground around your property, or if you see water bubbling or pooling on the roadway. A water operator will attend the location to investigate.

All locates are to be requested through Ontario One Call’s web portal or by 
calling 1-800-400-2255. Please note: Water is marked up to the property line on City of Barrie property. We do not locate on private property.
 

Fire flow tests can be scheduled by contacting the Water Operations Branch at (705) 792-​7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca.