Old Town and School Draw Drinking Water Lines
The Department of Public Works is seasonally responsible for inspecting, cleaning, sterilizing and testing the surface water lines to ensure the water is safe for consumption before activating the system.
Note: Residents are asked to be courteous and allow City staff access to their yards during this process.
Below is a breakdown of the process taken to ensure our water quality:
Commissioning
Commissioning of the surface water lines will begin around early May. Staff members will begin preliminary inspections of exposed lines and note issues. Commissioning will include repairs, flushing, and disinfection of the water lines. Residents will periodically notice water running from various sections of piping, but are asked to refrain from connecting to the surface pipeline. Any use of water in this system for consumption or residential use is strictly prohibited before a given start date, as we cannot guarantee water quality until the commissioning process is complete and the water test results have been confirmed.
Residents are asked to be courteous and allow City staff access their yards during this process.
Start-up
Water lines will be turned on, and residents can connect service lines.
Delivery schedules are expected to remain in place up to mid-June, so that residents are not without water during the start-up process.
Shut-Down
Lines are to be disconnected from each residence.
Residents will be asked to ensure tanks are full before a given date in mid-September, as delivery schedules will not resume until the first normally scheduled day following this date.
Decommissioning
Staff will begin the decommissioning process immediately following the system shutdown. Lines will be decommissioned, purging air to the pipelines so that residual water can be removed and the potential for freezing and subsequent damage is mitigated. During this time, the resident may once again notice water flowing from certain sections of the system and should be advised that this is a planned task of the process.
At this time, staff will again require access to some private properties and your cooperation is appreciated.
Schedule
Please note the information above; some residents may be asked to allow staff access to their yards during the commissioning and decommissioning process.
| Commissioning | First week of May 2026 |
| Consumption and residential use are restricted due to unverified water quality | Prohibited until May 31st, 2026 |
| Start-Up | June 8, 2026 |
| Deliveries remaining in place | Up to and including June 9th, 2026 |
| Shut-Down | September 14, 2026 |
| Residents are asked to ensure full tanks, as deliveries won't resume until the next normally scheduled day | Prior to 7:00 a.m., September 14, 2026 |
| Decommissioning | September 14, 2026 |
Community Gardens Surface Water Lines
Commissioning and repairs to surface water lines dedicated to human consumption will take precedence over any work for Community Garden Water Lines. Residents can expect water service to the Community Gardens no sooner than the middle of June.