Water and Wastewater resources
Engineering design guidelines
The Design Guidelines and Specifications manual provides consistency in design guidelines and specifications for infrastructure owned by Oxford County located in its area municipalities. The information contained in this document is intended to provide guidance beyond legislative and standard design practices.
Download Full Design Guidelines & Specifications (216 pages)
Section 1 General
Section 2 Engineering Drafting Standards
Section 3 Watermain
Section 4 Sanitary
Section 5 Storm
Bylaws, policies and permits
Oxford County’s updated Water and Wastewater Capacity Allocation Policy, adopted by by-law, provides a framework and policy tools to manage how water and wastewater capacity is allocated across new developments in the County.
Oxford County By-law No. 6765-2025
Rates for water and wastewater are set during the annual budget process and vary depending on where you live in Oxford County and the system needs of your community.
New water and wastewater rates for each year are in effect beginning January 1.
2025 Water and Wastewater Rates - By-Law No. 6696-2025 - Amended
Water Conservation By-law
Oxford County By-law No. 4193-2002 limits outdoor water use (by hose or attachment) over the summer months to conserve groundwater supplies and ensure an adequate water supply for all residents. Learn more
External Water Use By-law
Oxford County By-law No. 4193-2002 limits outdoor water use (by hose or attachment) over the summer months to conserve groundwater supplies and ensure an adequate water supply for all residents. Under the program, your watering day is determined by your address and your community as outlined below.
External Water Use By-law 4193-2002
You can apply for an outdoor water use exemption permit if you need to use water outside the designated hours for certain activities. Learn more and download the form: Water use exemption permits
Visit the Water Conservation section
Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention By-law
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.
6544-2023 Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention
Visit the Backflow Prevention Program section
Sewer Use By-law
The Oxford County Biosolids Management Master Plan (BMMP) requires adherence to the Oxford County 6270-2020 Modernized Sewer Use By-law.
Learn more: Sewer Use Bylaw
Wastewater Abatement Policy
This policy provides large wastewater customers with the opportunity to negotiate a wastewater abatement agreement if they meet the policy criteria.
Hauled Liquid Waste Policy
This Policy provides the requirements for the acceptance of Hauled Liquid Waste (HLW) at County owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
Grinder Pump and Greywater Systems Policy
This policy applies where grinder pumps or greywater systems have been installed on private property to convey wastewater to the municipal sewer system. It is intended to detail the responsibilities of both the County and the property owner for the installation, operation and maintenance of the equipment.
Incidents and advisories
The completion of this form is required for all spills or incident responses related to Oxford County sewage works under Bylaw # 6270-2020 addressing sewer use in Oxford County, as well as any uncontained spills within Oxford County boundaries, which may negatively affect future or existing drinking water supply.
Assistance in completing this form is available by calling 519-539-9800 or emailing spills@oxfordcounty.ca
The Ontario provincial government, through the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, regulates municipal water systems to ensure water is safe to drink. When the water is no longer safe to drink, in Oxford County, a “Boil Water Advisory” is issued by Southwestern Public Health's Medical Officer of Health and the local municipality.
Learn more on the Southwestern Public Health website
Annual reports
Oxford County's wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are regulated under Ontario's Water Resources Act and operated in accordance with Certificates of Approval issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Annual Wastewater Treatment System Summary Reports
Master plans
The 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan sets out Oxford County's long-term water and wastewater approach to managing current servicing needs as well as accommodating future projected population and employment growth to the year of 2046.
2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan
Appendix 1 - Part 1: Natural Environment Report
Appendix 1 - Part 2: Natural Environment Report - Maps
Appendix 2 - Part 1: Consultation Summary
Appendix 2 - Part 2: Consultation Summary
Appendix 3: Oxford County Policies
Appendix 4: Population and Employment Calculations
Appendix 5: Water Maps
Appendix 6: Water Infrastructure Summary
Appendix 7: Wastewater Maps
Appendix 8: Wastewater Infrastructure Summary