Water

Where does my drinking water come from?

Your municipal drinking water comes from Lake Erie. To determine your drinking water service provider, please view the Water Service Map. 

Most residents of Wards 1 and 2, including Essex Centre and the former Township of Colchester North, receive their water supply from the Union Water Treatment Plant. Some residents receive their water from the Amherstburg Treatment Plan. 

Residents of Wards 3 and 4, including Harrow and Colchester, receive their water supply from the Harrow and Colchester South Water Treatment Plant.

Is my drinking water safe?

The Harrow and Colchester South Water Treatment Plant uses chlorination (or the addition of chlorine) for its disinfection process.

Since 2004, the Union Water Supply System has used chloramination, the process of adding chlorine and ammonia. The change in disinfection technique was implemented to counteract the adverse sampling results and boil water advisories that had occurred in previous years. Chloramines kill bacteria by bonding with and oxidizing the organic compounds of which bacteria are made.

Chloraminated water is safe for most normal uses, including drinking, bathing, cooking, laundry, and watering plants. Exceptions apply to kidney dialysis patients and aquarium and process equipment owners. For more information, contact the Union Water Supply System at 519-326-4447.

When can I water my lawn or garden?

To ensure that there's always enough water, even during the summer months, the Town of Essex has passed a by-law setting conditions for lawn and garden watering. View our Lawn and Garden Watering page to find out more.

How can we ensure our water source is protected?

To ensure that we have enough clean water for drinking and other uses, we need to protect our water sources. To learn more about water source protection, visit the Source Water Protection - Essex Region Conservation website.

The Town of Essex operates and maintains the public portion of our Water and Wastewater Systems. As a homeowner, you are responsible for repairs to water and wastewater pipes on private property. Please see the example below.

Homeowner Responsibilities FAQs