On June 14, 2023, Oxford County Council endorsed Oxford County By-law No. 6544-2023 Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention to further safeguard the municipal drinking water system by preventing contamination from non-drinking water sources. Backflow events can significantly impact residents, businesses, and the environment by impacting water quality, posing a health risk to consumers, and causing service interruptions.

Oxford County is looking for plumbers certified by the Ontario Water Works Association or other governing body who can perform cross connection control surveys and backflow device testing within the County. Successful applicants must be qualified to conduct work in accordance with the Oxford County Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention by-law. Qualified testers will be added to the County registry. 

More about the Backflow Prevention Program and the Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention by-law

Norwich

Oxford County is undertaking construction work to rehabilitate the existing Norwich water tower located at municipal number 6 Pitcher Street in Norwich, Ontario.

This work will include completely replacing the existing interior tank linings; completely replacing the existing exterior coating systems; undertaking miscellaneous upgrades to ensure compliance with current health and safety standards and/or to improve operation and maintenance; and site restoration/fine grading.

Construction is expected to start in April 2023 and will continue until November 2023. There will be no water service interruptions during construction.

Residents in Norwich may experience discoloured water. The water discolouration is aesthetic in nature and remains safe to use. The discolouration is due to naturally occurring iron coming out of the solution and is expected to resolve when the construction at the Norwich Tower is complete. County Water Services is aware of the issue and is making operation adjustments to help mitigate this. County Water Service is spot flushing in the distribution system and is utilizing auto flushers to minimize iron settling in the distribution system.

Ingersoll

Rehabilitation work to refurbish the Ingersoll water tower continues this summer. This work includes painting the entirety of the tower. Work is expected to begin this week and be complete in August.

County Council received the Draft 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan on July 12, 2023. At Council’s request, the draft plan is being posted for an additional 75-day informal comment period before it moves to the final approval stage.

Under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process for Master Plans, this last stage will include a final 30-day public review period before the document is accepted as the final 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan.

The Draft 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan identifies the water and wastewater infrastructure needed to accommodate Oxford County’s projected population and employment growth to 2046.

Read the Draft 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan on Speak Up, Oxford!

Drinking water system annual reports

County Council received the 2022 Annual Water System Performance Summary reports in February. The reports show that the County treated and supplied approximately 10.9 million cubic metres of clean, safe and reliable drinking water to 21 communities through 17 drinking water systems last year.

Approximately 13.6 million cubic metres of wastewater was treated in 2022. Four of the nine County municipal wastewater treatment plants achieved 100% compliance ratings: Ingersoll, Mount Elgin, Tavistock and Thamesford. The remaining ratings encompass Drumbo 94%, Norwich 99%, Plattsville 97%, Tillsonburg 98% and Woodstock 99%. Read the 2022 drinking water system annual reports online here. 

Annual wastewater system performance reports

County Council received the 2022 Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Summary Reports and the 2022 Annual Biosolids Summary Report at the March 8 Council meeting. Together, the reports show continued strong performance in managing wastewater generated by more than 70,000 residents and businesses in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Approximately 13.6 million cubic metres of wastewater was treated in 2022. Four of the nine County municipal wastewater treatment plants achieved 100% compliance ratings: Ingersoll, Mount Elgin, Tavistock and Thamesford. The remaining ratings encompass Drumbo 94%, Norwich 99%, Plattsville 97%, Tillsonburg 98% and Woodstock 99%. Read the 2022 wastewater system performance reports online here.