The Town of Smiths Falls operates a Class 4 state of the art Water Treatment Facility, which is the highest classification for Water Treatment in Ontario. Municipal residential drinking water subsystems are required to be classified from Class 1 to 4 depending on the raw water (untreated water) source.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) requires that raw water for the Town (being source water from the Rideau River) is tested regularly. The Town tests the raw water and treated water on a broad spectrum of parameters based on MECP guidelines outlined in the Ontario regulations. In addition to the Ministry-required sampling for raw and treated water, the Town voluntarily participates in a Drinking Water Surveillance Program administered by the MECP. The Drinking Water Surveillance Program monitors water quality of selected municipal drinking water systems for scientific and research purposes.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, the Town of Smiths Falls reports annually on the quality and quantity of drinking water produced at the Water Treatment Plant. The Town received a compliance rating of 100% on the last two reports, being 2022 and 2023. The Town executes a robust and rigorous approach to protect drinking water which includes source water protection, operator training, water treatment, extensive monitoring and testing, as well as emergency preparedness.

“The Town continually monitors water quality to ensure a clean and safe product is being provided to residents and businesses of Smiths Falls,” said Andrew MacNaughton, Manager of Water and Wastewater. “The compliance scores we have received from the MECP over the past several years are a direct result of our ongoing commitment to safety, compliance and continual improvement.”

The Town participates in the Annual Drinking Water Week initiative, which will be celebrated in 2025 during the week of May 4-10. During this week the Water Treatment Plant opens its doors for guided tours of the facility so residents can learn more about where their drinking water comes from. Stay tuned for further information in the coming months!

Details of the Town’s water systems and drinking water quality, including annual report documentation, can be viewed by visiting: smithsfalls.ca/drinkingwater. The next annual report will be released early 2025. To learn more about our drinking water system, please visit our YouTube channel.

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Media Contact
Joanne Plontz
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8
613-283-4124 ext. 1122
Communications@smithsfalls.ca