Water and Wastewater Facilities and Information

A modest increase in odour from the Mountview plant is not unusual this time of year as seasonal temperatures and operating conditions change. Mountview is also an older facility with open treatment processes, so unfortunately some odour can occur despite efforts to minimize it.

Older digesters that are used to temporarily store sludge before it is transported to the Golden Pheasant WWTP or otherwise appropriately disposed of have been identified as one of the sources of increased odour. To address this concern, the District has increased aeration and the digesters are being cleaned out. This work has resulted in increased hauler activity which residents may have noticed as a greater number of trucks may be seen entering and leaving the site. The increased truck activity is intentional and part of our efforts to address the issue.

Adjustments to the primary and secondary treatment processes to further reduce odour generation have also been made and operations staff will continue to monitor conditions closely.

The Mountview plant is nearing the end of its service life and is planned to be decommissioned, with wastewater treatment transferred to the upgraded Golden Pheasant facility. The age and configuration of Mountview, including issues such as odour management, are among the reasons the District is working to complete that transition.

District staff are actively working to minimize impacts while site conditions continue to be monitored.

The study will investigate and evaluate options for establishing a new utility corridor crossing the private property located at 474 Highway 60. 

To maintain uninterrupted sanitary sewer service for the Town of Huntsville, the existing forcemain connecting the Coveside Sewage Pumping Station to the Golden Pheasant Wastewater Treatment Plant must remain operational throughout construction. As a result, the proposed replacement forcemain will need to be constructed along a new alignment. 

Through consultation with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, it was determined that construction of a new forcemain within the Highway 60 corridor east of Allison’s Point Road is not feasible due to existing underground infrastructure within the Ministry’s right-of-way. To address this constraint, the District Municipality of Muskoka is pursuing a utility easement agreement with the owner of 474 Highway 60 to establish a new utility corridor outside the Ministry’s right-of-way. 

The District Municipality of Muskoka has retained Tatham Engineering to undertake the Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. The study will assess existing environmental conditions, identify potential impacts and mitigation measures, and evaluate alternative solutions to support the selection of a preferred route. 

A key component of the study is consultation with the public, government agencies, and Indigenous communities. Stakeholder input is important to the planning process, and interested parties are encouraged to provide comments early in the study so that their feedback can be considered throughout the evaluation and decision-making process. 

An upcoming Public Information Centre will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to review the proposed forcemain alignment and provide additional input. Details regarding the Public Information Centre, will be confirmed at a later date. 

Please direct any comments to Tatham Engineering using the contact information provided below. 

Tatham Engineering Limited  
8 Barron Drive 
Bracebridge, Ontario 
P1L 0A1 

As part of our regular maintenance program, the District's Engineering and Public Works Department will be conducting watermain and hydrant flushing from May 1 to July 31, 2026. This maintenance improves the quality and service of the water system and ensures the proper operation of hydrants and watermains. 

While the water is safe, the flushing could result in cloudy or coloured water, which will clear if a cold water tap is run for a short time.

It's recommended customers check their water for rust prior to use each day as discolouration of laundry, etc. could occur.

The District would like to thank all customers affected for your cooperation and patience during this necessary maintenance work.

If you have any problems or need assistance related to flushing, please call 705-645-2100.

The District's Drinking Water QMS Operational Plan was written to meet or exceed the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change's prescribed standard and is applicable to the management and operation of the District's water treatment and distribution systems.

The development and continual improvement of the plan will help ensure that all regulatory requirements are met and that consumers can be confident that their drinking water will continue to be protected through the effective application of QMS.

To request a copy of the District's Drinking Water QMS Operational Plan, please email publicworks@muskoka.on.ca