Water and Wastewater

How We Operate the Town's Water Services

We own the Town's water distribution system in agreement with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (O.C.W.A.). The O.C.W.A. operates the municipal water treatment plant, found in Southampton.

We are responsible for:

• Maintaining, operating and replacing water services and hydrants
• Locating water services
• Maintaining, flushing and upgrading the water distribution system
• Operating water main valves and valve boxes
• Maintaining 150 km of water mains and all municipal mains up to individual property lines

For more information, view our Saugeen Shores Drinking Water System Annual Report.

Homeowners' Responsibilities

Homeowners in Saugeen Shores are responsible for:

• Water lines on their property
• Ensuring their water meter's puck, found outside the home, is clearly accessible and readable
• A property owner shall take all precautions necessary to prevent damage by frost, hot water, blows, injury or damage from any cause to the water meter and any appurtenances thereto. 
• Broken water meters will be replaced by the Town at the homeowner's request and expense. For replacement/repairs to the water meter after business hours (7:00 am-3:30 pm), special charges will be applied. During office hours, meters can be purchased at the Town office and installed by a licensed plumber. Fees as per the Fees and Charges by-law apply. Final inspection of the newly installed water meter is required by the Town of Saugeen Shores.

Lawn Watering

Please view our lawn watering page for more information.

Water Conservation

We encourage residents to conserve water where possible. For more information, view How to Conserve Water and Save Money for some conservation ideas.

Installing a Sandpoint Well

Sandpoint wells are often used for irrigation and do not draw potable water.

Any residence serviced by the Municipal Water System that installs a Sandpoint, shall complete an application and pay the fees as set out in By-Law 89-2001.

Prior to issuance of a “Lawn Watered by Sandpoint/Well” sign, the applicant is to make arrangements at the Public Works office to have an inspection of the Sandpoint plumbing to verify that a cross connection to the municipal supply has not occurred.

If you would like to install a Sandpoint well on your property, please fill out our Sandpoint well application form. 

Water Services

The Town of Saugeen Shores offers the following services for residents' water accounts:

• Water turn on and off for seasonal properties
• Water turn on and off for private water service repairs
• Water meter repairs

Things to keep in mind

• The homeowner must be present for Water Meter Turn on and Water Meter Repair appointments
• Water service appointments are on weekdays only. For weekend appointments, residents can contact OCWA at 519-797-2561 for services at the expense of the homeowner. There will be a charge of minimum $300 for services through OCWA.
• Failure to go through the Town or OCWA when turning on/off water, and destruction of Town water infrastructure may result in charges applying to the resident not limited to the charges outlined in the annual fees and charges by-law.
• Misuse or abuse may result in charges applying to the customer not limited to the billing of wages and the misuse fee outlined in the annual fees and charges by-law.

 Book a Water Services Appointment

How We Operate the Town's Wastewater Services

We own, operate and maintain two sanitary wastewater collection systems in Saugeen Shores. The O.C.W.A. operates two municipal wastewater treatment plants, located in Southampton and Port Elgin, in agreement with the Town.

We are responsible for:

• Maintaining, operating and replacing wastewater services and 130 km of watermains and forcemains
• Locating wastewater services and mains
• Maintaining, flushing and inspecting wastewater collection systems
• All municipal wastewater laterals up to private property lines

Homeowners' Responsibilities

Homeowners in Saugeen Shores are responsible for:

• Wastewater lines on their property
• Cleaning wastewater laterals from their building up to the municipal boundary

Septic Permits

View more information on septic permits for private wastewater systems.