Close Emergency Alert Banner
Close Browser Alert Banner
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Municipal Services Background Image
Skip to Content

Municipality of North Perth Logo

Click to return to the homepage Print
Contact Us Main menu icon
Your Say North PerthEmploymentContact UsEmail Us
  • Our Community
    • About North Perth
    • Accessibility
    • Community Connection Newsletter
    • Community Programs and Child Care Services
    • Council Recognition of Individuals and/or Teams
    • Donate
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Services and Safety
    • Healthcare and Wellness
    • Healthy Kids North Perth
    • Mayor's Blog
    • My Property
    • New to North Perth
    • Newcomers & Settlement Services
    • Places of Worship
    • Recreation, Facilities and Programs
    • Seniors
  • Explore and Discover
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Calendar
    • Community Groups and Organizations
    • Eat, Shop and Stay
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parks, Pavilions and Trails
    • Things To Do
    • Recreation and Programs
    • Transportation
    View our Library page
    Library
  • Business and Development
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Business Directory
    • Business Improvement Area
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Economic Profile
    • Events and Workshops
    • Incentives and Funding
    • North Perth Eats: Restaurant Listing
    • Prosper in Perth - North Perth
    • Resources and Programs
    • Starting a Business
    • Statistics and Facts
    • Youth Services
  • Municipal Services
    • Affidavits
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Animal Services
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Budget and Finance
    • Building and Planning
    • By-laws and Enforcement
    • Cemeteries
    • Construction and other Projects
    • Contact Us
    • Employment and Volunteering
    • Freedom of Information
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Mayor, Council and Committees
    • Municipal Elections
    • News and Notices
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Roads and Bridges
    • Stormwater and Drainage
    • Taxes
    • Water and Wastewater
    • Who Does What
    • Your Say North Perth
  • I Want To...
    • Apply or Register
      • Applications, Licences and Permits
      • Bids and Tenders
      • Building Permits
      • Employment and Volunteering
      • Freedom of Information
      • Speak Before Council
    • Pay
      • Applications, Licences and Permits
      • Facilities
      • Taxes
      • Water and Wastewater
    • Learn
      • Budget
      • Mayor, Council and Committees
      • News and Public Notices
    • Report
      • After-Hours Emergency
      • Customer Service Feedback
Feedback
Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon LinkedIn icon
  • Affidavits
  • Agendas and Minutes
  • Animal Services
  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Bids and Tenders
  • Budget and Finance
  • Building and Planning
  • By-laws and Enforcement
  • Cemeteries
  • Construction and other Projects
  • Contact Us
  • Employment and Volunteering
  • Freedom of Information
  • Garbage and Recycling
  • Mayor, Council and Committees
  • Municipal Elections
  • News and Notices
  • Reports, Studies and Plans
  • Roads and Bridges
  • Stormwater and Drainage
  • Taxes
  • Water and Wastewater
    • Drinking Source Water Protection
    • Frozen Pipes
    • Quality Management System Policy
    • Water and Wastewater Reports
    • Water FAQs
    • Water Meter Replacement Project
    • Wastewater FAQs
  • Who Does What
  • Your Say North Perth

Water FAQs

More
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Home / Municipal Services / Water and Wastewater / Water FAQs

Municipal Services Banner

Splash of water

Contact(s)

 Is my tap water safe to drink?

To ensure the quality of our water, we test the water continuously during and after treatment.  In fact, we conduct more tests than required by regulation. We use the necessary chemicals to treat the water, including chlorine to kill E.coli and other harmful bacteria that may be present.  A small (and harmless) amount of chlorine is left in the water to ensure its continued safety as it travels to you. If we are concerned about the quality of water, we follow the regulations in place and immediately notify the appropriate authorities such as Huron Perth Public Health and the Ministry of Environment.

Any resident who wishes to know levels of organic and inorganic parameters in the drinking water as well as microbiological sample numbers and water flows, they can be viewed in the Water Systems Annual and Summary Reports

 What could cause my tap water to look dirty?
Your tap water may look dirty for the following reasons:
  • Plugged or restricted water softeners
  • Old galvanized piping in buildings
  • Dirty water problems can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including hydrant use by the North Perth Fire Department, hydrant flushing, water main repairs, and other maintenance being conducted in the distribution system by the Public Works Department, a change in direction or in the rate of flow water moves through the pipes (e.g. due to water main break, leak, or residents running abnormal amounts of water through there service line) which stirs up sediment at the bottom of the pipes and/or rust from cast iron water mains

If you notice coloured water when you turn on your hot water taps, you likely need to drain the sediment at the bottom of your hot water tank.  Do this by placing a container under the hot water tank’s faucet and allow the tank to empty for about one minute.  Repeat this procedure monthly to prevent further build-up sediment.

 What could cause my tap water to appear cloudy?
At times during the year, you may find that your tap water appears cloudy.  It is usually caused by dissolved air, which is released in the form of fine bubbles when cold water becomes warmer.  These air bubbles give the water its cloudy appearance.  To confirm this, pour some cold water into a glass and observe.  You should notice the air bubbles gradually disappear from the bottom of the glass upwards.  If your hot water appears cloudy, the water is probably too hot.  To solve this problem, lower the temperature setting on your hot water tank.
 What could cause my tap water to have a taste/odour?
The Municipality of North Perth’s water systems pump water from deep drilled groundwater wells.  These water sources may rarely have a slight odour due to the mineral content in the water. Treatment chemicals remove most, if not all, natural odour and it is rarely detected in cold tap water. The odour is not a health concern.  If you are sensitive to this taste/odour, try keeping a jug of fresh, cold water in the refrigerator for drinking and cooking.  Carbon filters can also be used to remove taste/odour but must be carefully maintained.

 

If you notice a “swampy” or “sulphur” odour when using the bathroom faucets, it may be caused by decaying hair, dirt and debris that is caught in the drain and releasing an odour when you run your water.  To confirm this, fill a glass with cold water and take it immediately to another room in the house.  If this water is odourless, the odour is coming from your drain.  

 Why can I taste or smell chlorine in my water?

Many people are able to taste or smell extremely low concentrations of chlorine in water and may be able to detect it in our water system.  We have to maintain an adequate chlorine level at every customer tap to ensure the safety of the water and to meet regulations.

 How do I get rid of the chlorine taste and smell in my water?
An easy way to get rid of the taste and smell of chlorine is to fill an uncovered container of water and keep it in the fridge for drinking.  Much of the chlorine will leave if left overnight.
Receive Email Updates...
A to Z Listings
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Municipality of North Perth Footer Logo

© 2018 Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Avenue North, Listowel, ON N4W 1L3, Telephone 519.291.2950, Fax 519.291.1804

Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays

Accessibility| A to Z Services| Freedom of Information| Contact Us| Employment| Sitemap| Terms of Use| WIN
Designed by eSolutionsGroup