Service Interruptions and Emergencies

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Current/Scheduled Water Service Interruptions

On occasion you may experience water service disruptions due to watermain breaks, maintenance/repair activities or to accommodate the installation of new infrastructure. We do our best to try and keep disruptions to your water service to a minimum.

If your water service has been planned to be interrupted, your property will receive a hand-delivered notice.

Unfortunately, watermain breaks cannot be anticipated - these can be caused by age of infrastructure, corroded pipes and weather conditions (winter) due to the ground water freezing and expanding, putting pressure on the pipes, causing them to crack or break.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the District of Muskoka’s Public Works Department at 705.645.6764 or email publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

Water Service Interruption (Planned) - Friday, January 10, 2020 - Town of Huntsville
The District Municipality of Muskoka requires a temporary shutdown to address infrastructure installation, resulting in a water service interruption. Notices were hand delivered to affected properties on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 located in the following areas: Braeside Crescent Brookside Crossing Cemetery Lane Chaffey Township Road Earls Road Hibberd Lane Hibberd Road Homestead Lane Millwood Court Prestwick Drive Selkirk Drive Spalding Crescent Woodstream Drive Muskoka Rd 3 N. (North of Cemetery Lane) Temporary Water Service Interruption: Friday, January 10, 2020 3:30pm – 5:30pm During the temporary shutdown, it is recommended you turn off your hot water tank valve or turn off the breaker switch to your electric hot water tank, to avoid burning out the elements. The work may also disturb accumulated rust in the existing watermain, which could result in discolouration of the water. This is normal. It is recommended that residents check their water for rust prior to use, as discolouration of laundry could occur. We thank you for your patience and cooperation as these required infrastructure upgrades are completed. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the District of Muskoka at 705.645.6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

Water Service Interruption (Planned) - Friday, January 10, 2020 - Town of Huntsville

The District Municipality of Muskoka requires a temporary shutdown to address infrastructure installation, resulting in a water service interruption.

Notices were hand delivered to affected properties on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 located in the following areas:

Braeside Crescent
Brookside Crossing
Cemetery Lane
Chaffey Township Road
Earls Road
Hibberd Lane
Hibberd Road
Homestead Lane
Millwood Court
Prestwick Drive
Selkirk Drive
Spalding Crescent
Woodstream Drive
Muskoka Rd 3 N. (North of Cemetery Lane)

Temporary Water Service Interruption:
Friday, January 10, 2020
3:30pm – 5:30pm

During the temporary shutdown, it is recommended you turn off your hot water tank valve or turn off the breaker switch to your electric hot water tank, to avoid burning out the elements.

The work may also disturb accumulated rust in the existing watermain, which could result in discolouration of the water. This is normal. It is recommended that residents check their water for rust prior to use, as discolouration of laundry could occur.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation as these required infrastructure upgrades are completed. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the District of Muskoka at 705.645.6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

The value of safe drinking water becomes very clear to us when our water service is somehow disrupted. If you don't have water, you can't cook, brush your teeth, take a bath or shower, or flush the toilet.

Water supply emergencies are very rare; they are so rare that when they do occur, they often make the media headlines. Some possible causes of emergencies might include major water main breaks, power outages and system malfunctions.

How Can You Prepare?

In the case of a water service disruption, it is important to be prepared by taking simple steps to ensure that you and your family have an adequate supply of safe drinking water to see you through almost any interruption in service. In addition, understanding how your system works can help you to make the right decisions in the event of a water supply emergency.

Disaster Preparedness

Disasters can strike at any time in any community, thus it is wise to take the necessary precautions to be prepared.

A good rule of thumb is to store one gallon (3.78 litres) of water per person per day for 3 days
As long as the disinfected municipal tap water is stored in a clean, airtight container and in a cool location, the water should remain safe indefinitely
As a general rule however, it is recommended to change the emergency water supply at least once every six months

Where's Your Master Valve?

If there's an emergency, you will need to know this information ahead of time. You can't afford to waste precious time searching while the basement floods or the carpets are drenched.
Most common locations for the master valve are where the main water pipe enters your home, near the washing machine hook-up or near your water heater. Best to check and make certain you and your family know where it is!

Tips to Avoid Frozen Water Pipes

Insulate your inside pipes - look for pipes on an outside wall in your attic, crawl space or garage

Insulate your outside water pipes with specially designed foam pipe covers or heating tape available from most hardware stores
Heat your crawl space
Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate
In extreme cold weather consider leaving a tap open enough to allow a stream of water to flow
Know where your main shut off is located in case of an emergency

Leaving for the winter?

If you are on municipal services, consider having your service shut off at the street and your lines drained
If you are on privates services, arrange for a plumber to winterize your dwelling
Keep your thermostat set at 15 degrees Celsius or higher

Pipes Already Frozen?

If you suspect your pipes are frozen, try using a hair dryer directed where your line enters the home - never use an open flame or torch
Call a plumber, it may take a professional to determine where it is frozen and a thawing machine may be needed
Once it is thawed, leave a tap running

Municipal Services Frozen?

A plumber can determine if the line is frozen on the municipal side and notify the District of Muskoka Water and Wastewater field staff
24/7 contact information is available - see below

Boil Water Advisory

Occasionally, a Boil Water Order is issued by public health officials when a warning of disaster is in effect, or other potential water hazards arise.

For more information, refer to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website regarding Boil Water Advisories here.

Service Problems

Service problems such as low pressure, dirty water or strong odours should be reported to the Engineering and Public Works Department at 705-645-6764.

After-Hour Contacts

For service interruptions or emergencies after business hours, please contact:

Area	Telephone Number
Bala	1-800-669-3884
Baysville	705-789-8640
Bracebridge	705-645-5699
Gravenhurst	705-687-8894
Huntsville	705-789-8640
MacTier	1-800-668-0442
Port Carling	1-800-668-0442
Port Severn	1-800-669-3884
Port Sydney	705-789-8640