Jeff Wolfe: Environmental Services Coordinator (519) 348-8429 x236
Questions and concerns may also be directed to American Water (519) 348-4940
On January 1st, 1998, the Town of Mitchell, and the Townships of Mitchell, Logan, Hibbert and Fullarton amalgamated to form the Municipality of West Perth. Mitchell is serviced by a municipal water system, owned by the Municipality of West Perth. The Water Works system is comprised of four drilled bedrock wells (#1, #2, #3, #4), three ground level chlorine contact reservoirs, two separate treatment plants (also referred to as the high-lift pumping stations), a 3,900 m3 standpipe and a distribution network of watermains. The watermains range in diameter from 25 mm to 305 mm. The municipal water system is used for fire protection and has approximately 185 fire hydrants throughout the distribution system.
Under O. Reg. 128/04, Mitchell’s water works is classified as a “Class II – Distribution and Supply” municipal residential system. Certified operators operate the water works and complete the day-to-day activities of operating the system.
The Mitchell Water Works operates under Certificate of Approval (C. of A.) and a Permit To Take Water. The C of A. allows the following maximum flow rates: 4907.5 m3/day for Well #1, 3274.5 m3/day for Well #2, and 4579.2 m3/day for Well #3. Well #4 was drilled in 2004 and the C. of A. allows a maximum flow rate of 8640.0 m3/day.
The Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation regulates municipal and private water systems that provide water to year-round residential developments and designated facilities that serve vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. For municipal residential drinking water systems, annual reports must be created by February 28 and cover January to December of the previous year. In accordance with this regulation we will be posting our Annual Reports on this website.
For more information visit the Ministry of the Environment's website Drinking Water Ontario
The Municipality of West Perth Wastewater Treatment Plant in Mitchell was constructed in 1996 and was commissioned in 1997. The rated hydraulic capacity of the Treatment Plant is 5,813 m3/day on an average day basis, and has a peak sewage flow capacity of 11,500 m3/day. Construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant resulted in the effective decommissioning of the previous wastewater treatment system, a five lagoon facultative unit treatment system. In addition to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, a series of sewage mains and two sewage pumping stations (Herbert Street and James Street) assist in processing the wastewater.
Your home has a separate storm water and wastewater (sanitary sewer) collection system. Any pipes or components of the plumbing system that are on the private property is the homeowner’s responsibility and is referred to as private infrastructure.
The storm water system is designed to collect rain and snow melt (clear water) from streets and properties and direct this flow to a nearby pond, creek or lake. The sanitary sewer system is designed to collect water from toilets, sinks, showers and laundry facilities and direct it to wastewater treatment facilities where it receives a high level of treatment prior to being discharged back to the environment.
Until Building Code changes and subsequent by-laws were enacted in the mid to late 1970’s, it was common practice to connect foundation drains (sump pumps) and roof leaders directly to the sanitary sewer system. Although these connections are now no longer permitted as part of current construction practices, many areas continue to have direct storm water connections to the sanitary system which are now considered to be improper and are a major source of excessive inflow and infiltration. Homes that have improper storm water connections in place can be more susceptible to basement flooding, due to the high volumes of storm water being directed to the sewer main in the street from sources such as downspouts and weeping tiles.
There are several possible causes of basement flooding from sanitary sewer water, storm water, or a combination of both. If your basement is flooded or wet from only storm water possible causes may be:
- Poor lot drainage resulting in water flowing toward the home rather than away from it.
- A leak in your home's foundation, basement walls, or basement windows and doors.
- Failure of the weeping tile system (foundation drains), resulting in water pressure building up around the foundation walls.
- Failure of a sump pump without battery backup used to pump water from the weeping tiles, which collect storm water from around the foundation of the home.
If your basement is flooded from a sewer backup, (or combined with storm water), possible causes may be:
- A blockage in the sanitary sewer lateral between your home and the sanitary sewer main in the street from paper, grease, tree roots or other material.
- A backup of wastewater in the sanitary sewer system through the floor drain or other fixtures in the basement, (possibly a combination of sanitary sewer water from the sanitary sewer system and storm water from the weeping tiles.
Most often basement flooding occurs after a heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Basement flooding from a sanitary sewer backup can occur when too much storm water enters the sanitary sewer system during wet weather events. When this occurs, residences at lower elevations, especially those without adequate backflow protection, may experience a sewer backup into the basement from the floor drain or other plumbing fixtures.
Storm Water
- Check for leaks in walls, floors, windows, or foundations and repair them.
- Improve your lot grading, making sure the ground slopes away from the exterior walls of your home.
- Ensure that borders around flower and shrub gardens do not create dams that retain water next to the house.
- Clean eaves troughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris. Make sure your downspouts are draining properly and directed at least two metres (six feet) from your basement walls.
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