Water and Wastewater

On This Page:

• Annual Reports (Drinking Water and Wastewater)
• Source Water
• Homeowner Responsibilities
• To Flush or Not to Flush
• Sanitary Sewer Backups
• Preventing Inflow and Infiltration
• Frozen Services - What to do
• Cross Connection Information
• Bulk Water
• Fire Hydrant? Not so Fast.
• Backwater Valve Program
• Holding Tank Registration
• Procedure for New Septage Haulers

Annual Reports

Reports (both current and previous) are available free of charge upon request. 

Drinking Water

Wastewater

What Can I Flush? When in Doubt - Throw it Out

While it might seem harmless to flush a piece of dental floss or paper towel down the toilet, the truth is that many household items (including those advertised as flushable), can damage not only your plumbing which can lead to sewer backups but also the sewer system, the wastewater treatment facility and the environment. Millions of dollars are spent unnecessarily each year on maintenance, repair and clean up costs. If we all followed some simple rules, we could reduce not only the financial impact, but the environmental impact as well.

Here is a list of things to throw OUT, not IN.

• Paper towel
• Facial tissues
• Wipes (yes, even flushable ones)
• Tampons
• Cotton swabs

These items are among the most common offenders. First, because many people don’t know that they shouldn’t be flushed. But when we stop to think about it, these items are especially harmful. Why? Because they are all made to absorb water. Once thrown into the toilet, what do they do? EXPAND. Items that expand when exposed to water are not good for your pipes or the sewer system.

 “Flushable” wipes should not be flushed. Despite manufacturer's advertising, these wipes do not break down. They are made to be strong and to not dissolve when used to clean up messes. As a result, they break apart very slowly and easily clog pipes and filters at the wastewater plant. The first ever test of single-use wipes against rigorous criteria for flush-ability produced failing grades for all 101 products. Results showed that not one single wipe was able to fall apart or disperse safety through the sewer system test. (Water Canada, May/June 2019 issue.)

Plastic/Vinyl Materials - These products do not break down and are just some of the items leading to the growing problem of microplastic pollution poisoning our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans.

• Condoms
• Dental Floss
• Contact lenses

Dental floss can also twist up inside your pipes causing blockages, clogging up pipes and wastewater treatment equipment – dental floss can even wrap around parts of your septic system and burn out the motors on expensive plant equipment.

Medications – These break down eventually, but trace chemicals ultimately end up in our drinking water and can sicken fish, animals and people. The safer, more responsible option is to return any unfinished medication to your doctor or take them to the nearest pharmacy for proper disposal.

Kitty litter – This material (meant to absorb liquid), will NOT dissolve in water and can create clogs - EVEN if it’s labelled flushable.

Cigarette butts – Toxic chemicals tossed into the sewer system aren’t good for the environment and can make their way back into source water. 

Hair – Like dental floss, hair (from your brush or after shaving), gets caught on basically everything – plus, it floats. It’s super strong and never dissolves in water - no matter how long it’s in there. It can easily cause clogs in your pipes and wrap around equipment at the wastewater plant causing significant damage.

Fats/Oils/Cooking Grease – Most of us know that we shouldn’t put cooking grease down the drain, yet some of us still put it down the toilet. Fat, oil and cooking grease cool and harden when they cool. Over time the grease will build up and can block the entire pipe – both in your private plumbing and in the City’s. 

Chemicals – Most household cleaners have harmful chemicals in them that shouldn’t be flushed into the sewer system. Consider cleaning your toilet with vinegar instead.

Household Hazardous Waste – Hopefully we all know that putting paints or pesticides into the toilet is a definite no but just in case – don’t do it.

Feminine Sanitary Products - We get it. We do. But the damage these products do to plumbing and wastewater plant equipment costs taxpayers and municipalities great amounts of money in repairs. Wrap them and place them in the garbage.

Household plumbing, distribution pipes and wastewater plants are not equipped to handle anything except for human waste, wastewater and toilet paper. Anything else should be put in the trash.

So remember, when in doubt – throw it out. Don't let what you flush, come back to haunt you.

Sanitary Sewer Backups

Please CALL US FIRST. Staff need to determine if the backup is associated with a City main prior to the commencement of work.

• If it is determined that the the main is fine and that the backup is due to a blockage, the owner/occupant will need to call a plumber to determine if the blockage is located on the City side (from the property line to the street/road), or on the owner's side (inside the property line.)
• The plumber then MUST call the City prior to commencing any work. This is very important: if the plumber does not call the City first, the City shall not be responsible to pay for any work related to the sewer backup even if it is determine that the cause of the blockage is location on City owned property. Only City-approved plumbers may work on City-owned systems/infrastructure. Please see link below for plumbers who are City-approved.
  
• NOTE: The plumber hired to determine where the blockage is located MUST provide video documentation to prove the location of the cause of the sewer backup. Therefore, any plumber hired by the owner to determine the location of the blockage must have the capability/equipment to provide this. Without this proof, the City shall not be responsible to pay for any work associated with the sewer backup regardless of the location/responsibility. When the plumber calls the City, he/she will be advised of this and will speak to the Supervisor/ORO of Distribution and Collection for further instruction.
• If it is determined that the blockage is located on the owner's side (inside the property line), the property owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the sewer backup. If the blockage is on the owner's side, the owner may hire any plumber he/she wishes. If it is determined that the backup is due to misuse of the system, the City will NOT be responsible for any associated costs.
• Responses to vulnerable customers are accelerated when possible.
• Please click for listing of City-approved plumbers. If you are a plumber and would like to be added to the City's listing of approved vendors, please email casewww@kawarthalakes.ca 

Preventing Inflow and Infiltration

What is inflow and infiltration?

Sanitary sewers collect wastewater from our homes, businesses and industries to take it to a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater is collected using pipes buried in the municipality’s road allowance. Sanitary sewers are designed to only carry wastewater from sanitary systems to our wastewater treatment facilities.

In comparison, storm water collection system collect runoff from snow and rain and carry it from buildings, roadways, and the ground to a natural watercourse or body of water. This runoff is usually untreated. Wastewater and storm water systems are designed to transport only a certain volume of water. When more water than they are designed to handle is diverted into them, it can cause trouble.

When property owners direct eavestroughs to municipal sanitary systems or connected private storm systems such as sump pump outlet pipes to them, it is known as an illegal connection. Doing this can cause a high volume of storm water to flow into wastewater collection and treatment systems instead of letting it flow into storm water systems or soak into the ground. When too much water enters sanitary sewers, it can lead to problems for property owners, such as sewer back-ups. This is known as inflow and infiltration.

Installing a backwater valve within your house/building’s sanitary drainage plumbing can help protect your property. Backwater valves are usually installed in the basement of a building and are now mandatory on all new homes in services areas of the municipality. Additionally, disconnecting downspouts and sump pumps connected to the sanitary system and directing them onto the lawn away from the house can help.

Today’s subdivision construction standards consider storm water management and are designed to divert the water from sump pumps, roof drains, area drains, etc. to storm sewers, retention ponds or drainage ditches. Property owners should also check that their sanitary sewer cleanout cap is tightly installed. Loose or missing cleanout caps beneath the basement floor can let groundwater into sanitary collection systems. They are also a source of dangerous sewer gas. Once the cleanout cap is properly tightened, basement flooding may occur because groundwater can no longer escape into the sanitary sewer. However, the sump pump is designed to handle this groundwater and direct it away from the house. Make sure to check that your sump pump is working properly.

What is the municipality doing to prevent inflow and infiltration?

In recent years, portions of the sanitary wastewater collection and treatment systems have experienced higher-than-normal flows due to storm water entering the sanitary system. These flows exceed the system’s design capacity and create operational challenges, increase costs, and pose risks to private property and the environment.

To address these issues, the municipality as implemented several initiatives.

• In 2022, a multi-year CCTV inspection program of the sanitary sewer system was initiated to identify areas of inflow and infiltration (I&I) within the municipal infrastructure. This program focused on locating deficiencies in the municipal system, and did not include identifying illegal connections.
  • Based on the results of these inspections, a remediation program began in 2023 to correct significant infrastructure deficiencies contributing to excess flows.
• Also in 2022, the City retained T.Y. Lin to complete a Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan. This study evaluated existing servicing constraints and established long-term strategies for water and wastewater servicing. As part of this work, additional flow monitoring studies were conducted, which confirmed concerns related to inflow and infiltration. The recommendations from this master plan have informed the City’s long-range financial planning and capital planning strategy, ensuring that wastewater infrastructure upgrade can support both current needs and future growth.
• Operationally, the City’s Water & Wastewater Division continues to inspect wastewater collection infrastructure, including maintenance holes (manholes), to identify and address infiltration issues. The City also installs rain bladders in maintenance hole lids in low-lying roadway areas to prevent storm water inflow during wet weather events.
• In 2025, the City introduced additional incentive to reduce illegal storm water connections. Building permit application fees were waived for permits specifically related to plumbing modifications required to disconnect storm water sources (such as sump pumps or foundation drains) from the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Frequently Asked Questions about wastewater and storm water discharge 

What is inflow and infiltration?

Inflow and infiltration (I&I) occurs when stormwater or groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system. Sanitary sewers are designed to carry wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment plants. Stormwater from rain and melting snow should enter storm sewers or soak into the ground.
When extra water enters sanitary sewers, it can overload the system and cause problems such as sewer backups, higher treatment costs and environmental risks.

What is a surcharged sanitary sewer?

A sanitary sewer becomes surcharged when the amount of water flowing through it exceeds its capacity. This often happens during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt when extra stormwater enters the sanitary system.
When pressure builds up in the pipe, wastewater may try to escape through the lowest points in the system, including floor drains or plumbing fixtures in basements.

How can surcharged sanitary sewers cause basement flooding?

Basement flooding can occur when the water level in a surcharged sewer rises above the level of plumbing fixtures in a home. Wastewater can then flow backward through pipes and enter the basement through floor drains, toilets or other fixtures.

What are some examples of illegal connections?

Illegal connections allow stormwater to enter the sanitary sewer system. Examples include:

• Roof downspouts connected to sanitary pipes
• Sump pumps connected to sanitary sewers
• Foundation or footing drains connected to sanitary pipes
• Damaged or defective house sewer lines that allow groundwater to enter

Do illegal connections really add that much water?

Yes. Even a small number of illegal connections can have a large impact. For example, a typical sanitary sewer pipe can handle wastewater from more than 200 homes. However, only a few sump pumps running at full capacity can overload the same pipe during heavy rain.

Why is it important to remove illegal connections?

Removing illegal connections reduces the amount of stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system. This helps:

• reduce the risk of sewer backups and basement flooding
• lower the cost of wastewater treatment
• protect the environment by reducing the risk of wastewater overflows

What can I do if my sump pump or downspout is connected to the sanitary sewer?

Stormwater from sump pumps and downspouts should be directed away from the house and allowed to drain into the yard, a ditch or another safe drainage area on your property. If changes to plumbing are required to disconnect stormwater sources from the sanitary sewer system, Kawartha Lakes currently waives building permit fees for this work.

How can I help prevent basement flooding?

One of the best ways to protect your home is by installing a backwater valve on your sanitary sewer line. A backwater valve prevents wastewater from flowing back into your home during sewer surcharges.Kawartha Lakes offers a Backwater Valve Subsidy Program to help residential property owners reduce the risk of basement flooding. Residents should also make sure sump pumps, roof downspouts and foundation drains are not connected to the sanitary sewer system.

I’ve never had basement flooding. Why should I remove my illegal connections?

Even if your home has never flooded, stormwater from your property may still be entering the sanitary sewer system and contributing to sewer surcharges elsewhere in the community. Removing illegal connections helps protect your neighbours, reduces strain on wastewater infrastructure, and lowers the risk of environmental impacts.

Frozen Services - What to do

The City wishes to remind residents that there will be no bill adjustments for any additional consumption due to running water to prevent freezing.

The City has a voluntary Freeze Prevention Program to help you keep your water lines and water meters from freezing. Frozen services can cause service interruptions and damage infrastructure. The program encourages you to:

• Make sure that your plumbing and drains will allow water to run continuously without supervision;
• PLEASE NOTE: When the weather turns colder, please pay attention to the temperature and when it drops, consider running your water (the stream should be approximately 6 mm wide or the width of a straw, as per the information below - enough to ensure water continues flowing through your pipes) until the temperature rises. Please note that the City will not be responsible for any for any costs related to the additional water consumption.
• Notify the city as soon as possible when you notice an interruption in water supply.

In extremely cold weather the City recommends that you:

• Keep kitchen, laundry and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around water pipes and water meters;
• Make sure all chemicals and cleaners are kept safely out of the reach of children and pets;
• Keep a minimum household temperature of 13 degrees Celsius;
• Make sure outside taps are drained and turned off;
• Use foam pipe insulation to wrap pipes located near exterior walls, in crawl spaces or in attics;
• Seal air leaks in your home and garage and keep your garage door closed;
• If you are going away shut off the valve in your basement, drain all water lines by opening taps and have someone check your home regularly;
• If you are having problems with frozen pipes you can speak with a plumber to about lowering your water service to a depth of at least 2 m and making sure waterlines on exterior walls are insulated.

If you are advised to run your taps a steady stream of water 6 mm wide or approximately the width of a straw should be run constantly until the extreme temperatures rise.

If you open the tap closest to where the waterline enters your house and you notice there is little to no water flow it is possible that your line could be frozen. Please call a licensed plumber right away. If your waterline has frozen:

CALL US FIRST - we have important information that can save you time and money.

• Call a licensed plumber as soon as possible. Please note that plumbers MUST call the City prior to the commencement of any work on City-owned services. If the plumber does not call the City, the City will not pay for any work that needs to be completed even if it is determined that the frozen service is located on the City side. This is because only City-approved plumbers can work on City-owned infrastructure. In addition, plumbers working on City-owned infrastructure must use our approved method of thawing frozen lines which is steam.
• If the service is frozen outside of your property line on city property, the city will be notified and is responsible for thawing the line;
• If the portion of the service line that is frozen is on your property (between your home and the property line) you are responsible for hiring a plumber and covering the cost;
• If you have taken all reasonable steps and the line on your property can not be thawed the city may connect a temporary service line to supply your residence with water;

The city will bill the homeowner supplying the water and the owner receiving the water as part of the temporary service based on their previous year's bill for the same time period.

Water System Cross Connection Control Program

The City of Kawartha Lakes Water System Cross-Connection Control Program, included as part of By-law 2021-162 A by-law to Regulate Water and Wastewater Services), has been developed to protect the City’s drinking water supply from sources of contamination. This program involves identifying cross-connections located on industrial, commercial and institutional properties (ICI) connected to the City of Kawartha Lakes water distribution system and ensuring that they have adequate premise isolating measures (backflow prevention devices) in place.

A cross-connection is defined as any actual or potential connection between the water distribution system and any source of pollution, contamination or other substance that could change the quality of the potable water supply.

Backflow is defined as the undesirable reversal of flow from non potable (untreated) water or other substances from any domestic or industrial unprotected piping system into the municipal water distribution system.

The easiest way to protect the water distribution system is to eliminate all potential cross-connections. Where this is not possible, a mechanical backflow prevention device must be installed to prevent backflow from occurring.

Program Requirements/Process:                                                                           

• Identification of ICI properties with cross-connections and supplying these properties notice of the need to comply, or maintain compliance, with the Water System Cross-Connection Control Program and By-law 2021-162.

Note: Residential premises are not currently required to install BPDs, however residential premises with a) more than four units, and b) premises that are connected to an auxiliary water supply, such as an irrigation system, will require premise isolating BPD’s.

• Once notified, affected property owners will – at their own expense - obtain a Qualified Person from the Qualified Persons Registry to conduct a cross-connection survey of the property in question. The survey report is due two months after receiving the notification letter sent to the owner by the City. Please email completed surveys to casewww@kawarthalakes.ca

Note: Qualified Persons are individuals who meet the following requirements:

• The person is registered with the City’s Water System Cross-Connection Control Program
• The person holds a valid a current Certificate of Achievement in Cross Connection Control Endorsed by the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA), or equivalent
• The person is in possession of a current calibration certificate as required for the testing equipment to be employed
• The person maintains commercial general liability insurance and;
• The person is authorized to perform the specified tasks as indicated in the Authorized Functions List 

The City of Kawartha Lakes has developed a “Qualified Persons Registry List” for resident use. The City strongly recommends that property owners obtain several quotes before selecting a qualified person. The City of Kawartha Lakes does not endorse or provide warranty of services or prices; all “Qualified Persons” operate independently from the City. Please check all references, insurance, costs and please obtain a WSIB clearance certificate prior to the commencement of any work.

• The City will reply outlining the action (if any) the property owner must take. If the property is determined to be a moderate to high risk for cross-connection (in accordance with CSA standards B64.10-07/B64/10.1-07), the property owner will be required (at their own expense) to hire a licensed plumber from the Qualified Persons Registry to have the recommended backflow device(s) installed. (Please note that a plumbing permit is required prior to the installation of new devices. Please contact the Building Division at 705 324-9411 ext. 1288)

Note: Identified properties must complete and submit to the City, a Cross Connection Survey: once every five years; when there is a change to the internal plumbing system or premise use; or as required by the City.

• The BPDs are required to be tested upon installation and yearly thereafter by a Qualified Person. Once a test has been performed, a test tag must be affixed to each device and the report forwarded to the City. The City will maintain a listing of where BPDs have been installed, however it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure device test reports are provided to the City in a timely fashion.

It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that only Qualified Persons listed by the City of Kawartha Lakes conduct backflow prevention work on their property. The City may immediately terminate water service, require disconnection of a cross-connection and/or impose fines if the City determines that a health hazard, or potential health hazard, exists.

The owner is also responsible for ensuring that the information provided to the City remains current.

The following is a list of certified Backflow Prevention Device Testers who have registered with the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL). Please contact these Registered Testers directly as they are not employed by the City.

Disclaimer: CKL makes no representation regarding the abilities, performance or quality of the service provided by the Registered Testers above. CKL does not accept or assume any responsibilities for the performance or actions of these Testers. These service providers are required to submit proof of their certification as a tester of backflow devices issued by the OWWA/AWWA, ASSE or approved equivalent and a valid Certificate of Calibration of their test equipment on an annual basis. Only companies listed above are permitted to carry out functions required by the Cross Connection Control Program. Please use your own judgment and discretion with respect to contracting with these Testers.

Note: Qualified Testers should contact us for information on how to become registered at casewww@kawarthalakes.ca

Contact changes (in addition to any concerns or questions related to the Water Systems Cross Connection Control program) can be emailed to casewww@kawarthalakes.ca or mailed directly to:

Public Works – Water and Wastewater Division

322 Kent St. W

PO Box 9000

Lindsay, ON

K9V 5R8

Please click on the following links to print a required document.

Authorized Functions List

Backflow Device Test Form

Cross Connection Survey Form

Qualified Persons Application Form

Alternate formats are available upon request by emailing casewww@kawarthalakes.ca.

Bulk Water  

The City has five Bulk Water Stations (Two automated dispensing systems and three coin operated systems) that are used to supply large volumes of water. Please see below to learn information about each station.

REGISTER for a new account:

Before you can access a Bulk Water Station you must read and submit an application for a Bulk Water User Account through https://kawarthalakeson.azurewebsites.net/. Once you apply for the account it may take up to 24 hours for the City to review and approve the application. Once the City approves of your application you will receive an auto generated email with a link to confirm your account. You need to click on the link in your email to activate the account.

Where are the bulk water stations?

There are stations in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and Norland. Please see the location specific sections below for details. Please note that the requirements for the different stations vary - some locations require a key to open the gate and some require a hose and coupling. Some stations are coin operated and some are not. Please be sure to read the information carefully.

50 Thornhill Road at the Thornhill Reservoir - Lindsay

I have additional questions, where can I ask them?

All questions about the bulk water stations and registration process can be sent to the Water and Wastewater Division at casewww@kawarthalakes.ca

Backwater Valve Program

With increasingly frequent and severe wet weather events related to climate change, the possibility for sanitary sewers to reach capacity and surcharge or back-up into residential homes is increasing. As a proactive measure, the City is offering residential property owners a financial subsidy to install a backwater valve (BWV), on their sanitary line within their home to prevent wastewater from reversing in direction and travelling back into the home.

The subsidy will pay for 50% of the costs to install a BWV on the property owner’s sanitary line. It does not cover work such as interior demolition or restoration (paint, drywall, flooring), or exterior work (landscaping for example). In order to meet program requirements, a building permit must be obtained prior to the work being done and installations must be completed by a licensed plumber. The program is only available to existing residential homes. The program is not available to any Institutional, Commercial, and Industrial (ICI) properties. Eligible properties must be within municipal boundaries and only applies to first time installations, not for replacement devices.

The application and all supporting documentation must be received within one year of the work being completed.

Applications must be mailed to:

Backwater Valve Subsidy Program

322 Kent St. W, P.O Box 9000

Lindsay, ON

K9V 5R8

Backwater Valve Subsidy Application Form

City staff will review your application and determine whether you are eligible for a subsidy. If your application is incomplete or you have not included the proper documentation, your application will not be processed, and all documents will be returned to you. If your application is denied you will be notified by mail.

Procedure for New Septage Haulers

New septage haulers need to contact the Finance Department (705 324 9411 ext. 1222) to obtain and fill out a credit application for account set up. Once the hauler is approved by finance (and given directions to the Landfill), they are to call the Waste Management Supervisor (705 324 9411 ext. 1133) to meet at the Landfill and obtain a manifest package. This package includes a summary of steps for registration as a hauler, septage manifest and a copy of Bylaw 2016-219 A Bylaw to Govern Septage Disposal at the City of Kawartha Lakes Sewage Works.

The bylaw will include the rates for haulers within the City of Kawartha Lakes and outside of City boundaries, however haulers hauling from outside the City of Kawartha Lakes will be charged an additional administration fee on weight of septage.