Water Services

Water Service Emergencies

Water Service Emergencies 519-930-8118

Please only use this number in between the hours of after 4:30PM and before 7:30AM on Monday to Friday, and anytime on weekends, and holidays.

Emergency calls can include, but are not limited to:

Water quality issues
Water meter leaks
Water service leaks
Watermain breaks
Potential backflow events

Non-emergency calls can be directed towards Kevin Willson, between the hours of 7:30AM to 4:30PM Monday to Friday.

DRINKING WATER

The Municipality of Thames Centre owns and operates two municipal drinking water systems which are supplied by groundwater wells. Our systems produce safe, high quality drinking water for the communities of Dorchester and Thorndale.

The 2023 rates have been adjusted to include the rate increase/decrease and the indexing as follows:

How Much Will I Pay Every 2 Months in 2024?

2024 Water Rates

Item Charge / Billing (2 months)	Water
Fixed Fee - Base Rate	$42.00
Block 1 Volume 0 - 50 m3	$2.29
Block 2 Volume over 50 m3	$3.11
Fixed Fee - Fire Protection, Unserviced Properties Only	$16.81
Fixed Fee - Life Cycle Charge	$24.05

2024 Wastewater Rates (including Catherine Street)

Item Charge / Billing (2 months)	Wastewater
Fixed Fee - Base Rate	$58.50
Constant Rate per Cubic Meter	$3.61

To have regard for outdoor water use that does not enter into wastewater system, summer wastewater billing continues to be capped at a maximum of 50m3 for the months of July and August.

2024 Storm Sewer Rates

Item Charge / Billing (2 months)	Storm Water
Fixed Fee - Life Cycle Charge	$11.79

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does the Municipality have water restrictions?

Non-essential water use is limited to the odd/even system during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Non-essential water use refers to lawn watering, filling pools, washing vehicles etc. If your street address is an even number, you may use non-essential water on calendar days that are even. If it's an odd number, odd number calendar days apply.

Lawn and new Sod Watering Notice

Please note that the odd/even watering schedule has been in use for several years and is a common method used by municipalities to better manage water resources. It should not be confused with the total ban on non-essential water usage that was imposed in 1998.

How is the Municipality and water use regulated?

We are regulated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, which sets the maximum volume we can pump each day. In fall, winter and early spring we do not have a problem with over pumping and rarely exceed half of the allowed volume. However, during periods of heavy non-essential water usage, the system must be monitored carefully to avoid exceeding the permissible volumes.

Why is non-essential water use important?

As an example of non-essential use, 2007 was a very dry year. The volume of water pumped by the Dorchester well fields during the month of February 2007 was 31,664 cubic metres. The volume for June 2007 was dramatically higher at 69,992 cubic metres. The increased pumping was primarily due to non-essential water usage, such as watering lawns and gardens, washing cars and filling pools.

Why manage supply and demand?

Under normal circumstances the municipal water supply is more than adequate for our needs. We can easily maintain a full reserve of water in the reservoirs and tower to ensure a proper amount of pressure in the system. During a drought, as was the case in 2005, the situation can change dramatically during the late spring, summer or early fall months when heavy non-essential water usage takes place. The demand on the system can quickly rise to an unsustainable level. Eventually, if the situation were allowed to continue the tower volume would decrease in equal proportion to the amount of water being used that exceeds the system's pumping capacity. This process would inevitably result in zero water reserve and poor line pressure. When that situation occurs a total ban on non-essential water use is implemented and strictly enforced. This is necessary to insure an adequate supply of water for essential use and emergency purposes.

What is the hardness of my water?

Periodically we receive calls from residents with questions as to the level of 'hardness' of their municipal drinking water. This information is needed in order to set-up a residential water softener. The MECP aesthetic objective for water hardness is 80-100mg/L. Both the Dorchester and Thorndale water systems are supplied from groundwater wells, and the water is considered 'hard'.

The water hardness (CACO3) in the distribution system is as follows:

Dorchester Water Distribution System..........................................267mg/L or 15.61 grains of hardness

Thorndale Water Distribution System............................................262mg/L or 15.32 grains of hardness

Does the Municipality test well water?

Middlesex London Health Unit provides well water testing for private residences (homes). Water sample bottles can be picked up at the front desk of the Municipal Office.

For more information please see the Middlesex London Health Unit Webpage

Why is my water pressure low?

What do I do?

Check water softener, bypass water softener for up to 48 hours, monitor for pressure changes, and leaks, then turn softener back into service.
Check your hot water tank. If low pressure only occurs on hot water, the issue could be related to your hot water tank or internal plumbing.
Check with neighbours to see if others have similar issues.
Check for water in front of your house, or near the road. If excessive water is found, and weather conditions are dry, please contact the Environmental Services Department as this may be a service leak.
If problem persists, please contact the Environmental Services Superintendent, Kevin Willson 519-268-7334 ext 745.

What could be the issue?