Water and Sewer

We provide drinking water and wastewater services in our more populated communities of the Municipality of Greenstone. We are committed to monitoring water quality and ensuring safe drinking water. Read more information about:

Water Quality (advisories and practices)
Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Awareness and Incentive (Grant) Programs

Please learn about Sewer System Maintenance to understand how your household practices impact our public infrastructure, and help us to provide cost-effective service.

REPORT A WATER QUALITY CONCERN

Water and sewer bill and payments

Learn how you can pay your water and sewer bills. View our Water and Sewer Billing Collection Policy to learn more about our process. If you are a landlord or tenant living in Greenstone, view our Water and Sewer Service Record Tenant Form.

If you don't receive your bill payment or want to change your billing address, please contact the Water and Sewer Department at the Administration Office 807-854-1100 ext. 2024.

Water billing schedule

View our water billing schedule:

First Quarter Billing – January 1 to March 31 | Bill Date First week of March
Second Quarter Billing – April 1 to June 30 | Bill Date First week of June
Third Quarter Billing – July 1 to September 30 | Bill Date First week of September
Fourth Quarter Billing – October 1 to December 31 | Bill Date First week of December

Please note that metered properties are also billed quarterly with the exception of reserves, which are billed monthly. To avoid penalties, ensure that you submit your payments, including those by mail, by the due dates.

Water rates

View our water rate By-law to find our residential and commercial flat rate fees for water and sewer usage within Greenstone. Learn more about our rate relief policy for Eligible Low Income Persons.

Repair responsibilities

The Municipality of Greenstone is responsible for maintaining public water and sewer infrastructure that delivers water to and from properties. If you are a private property owner, you are responsible for all plumbing and service lines from your home or building, up to the Municipal water shut of valve for water and to the Municipal sewer main for sewer. View the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Maintenance Policy.

Water on and off

Please note only Municipal staff are authorized to access your water shut off. If you are hiring a contractor for work on your water line, the Municipality must be involved. Contact the Water and Sewer Department for more information.

View our Water Meter Maintenance and Replacement Policy to learn about our guidelines for water meter installation, maintenance and complaints or requests for water meters.

Watermain breaks

Watermain breaks are often caused by extreme weather, freeze and thaw cycles, and external corrosion of water pipes. Signs of a break are water flowing or pooling on the ground or reduced water pressure in your home.

If you notice a water break, contact the Administration Office. Please leave a voice message with a Public Services staff member if it is after office hours.

Inspection and maintenance programs

We ensure that our water and sewer systems are thoroughly inspected and receive regular maintenance.

WATERMAIN AND HYDRANT FLUSHING

To make sure the water quality is clean for everyone, we conduct routine flushing of watermains and hydrants. Watermains are flushed twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

Notice of flushing

The Municipality will notify you about flushing events in advanced on our news feed and Facebook.

Flushing often agitates minerals that form on the inside of water pipes and the sediment produced may cause cloudy or discoloured water for a brief period. This side effect is not hazardous. You can clear the water by turning on the cold water from your bathtub tap (or other tap without a screen) to flush the service line that leads to your house.

MAINTAINING ACCESS TO WATER VALVES

Every property has a water shut-off valve, usually found in your front yard or driveway. This valve is the only way water service to your home is controlled. Sometimes the ground heaves the water valves and they stick up out of the ground or you may notice a water leak at your water valve. Call the Public Services Department and we will make the right adjustments.

Repaving your driveway

If you are planning to repave your driveway, make sure the water valve is not paved over if it is in your driveway.

MAINTAINING ACCESS TO HYDRANTS

To ensure fire hydrants can be accessed in an emergency, please keep hydrants clear of obstructions and parked vehicles. In the winter, you can help us by not piling up snow in these areas. We regularly remove snow from hydrants after priority snow plowing is complete.

STORM AND SANITARY SEWER MAINTENANCE

Storm and sanitary sewers are regularly inspected to make sure they are flowing properly. During high rainfall events, however, we may have more water entering the sewer network than we can handle. This can lead to overflows or bypass events, and sometimes sewer backups. You can help by making sure your sump pump is not discharging into the sanitary sewer system.

Frozen water

Extremely cold temperatures push frost deeper into the ground. It is possible for poorly insulated or shallow water services to freeze if they are in the frost zone. If this happens, you may have reduced water pressure or even no water at all.

If you find that your water pressure is low, contact the Public Services Department. Quick action is needed to prevent your line from freezing and having no water.

The Municipality will provide assistance for one frozen water occurrence on private property as per the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Maintenance Policy. Please note that there is no guarantee thawing attempts will be successful. Where a municipal water main becomes frozen, more extensive measures will be taken to restore service.

Simple tips on how to prevent frozen water lines can be found online. In some cases, it may be advisable to install a bleeder on an outside tap or hire a contractor to lay your service pipe deeper into the ground.

Municipality of Greenstone
1800 Main Street, PO Box 70,
Geraldton ON P0T 1M0

Phone: 807-854-1100