Municipal Water Systems

The Township of Selwyn owns the infrastructure for the municipal water services available in both Lakefield Ward and Woodland Acres subdivision, and has an agreement with Peterborough Utilities Services Inc. to maintain the day-to-day operations of these systems.

Lakefield Water System

Lakefield Water Treatment Plant provides safe, reliable drinking water to 1,100 homes and businesses in Lakefield. Staff operate and maintain a system that includes:

  • 22 km of water distribution pipe
  • 110 Fire Hydrants 
  • 3,650 m³ of water storage 

Woodland Acres Water System

Through an agreement with Peterborough Utilities Services Inc., the Peterborough Water Treatment plant supplies safe, reliable drinking water to the 334 residents within the Woodland Acres Water System. Staff operate and maintain a system that includes: 

  • 26 fire hydrants
  • 5 km of water distribution pipe
  • 1 booster pumping station 
 Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS)
The framework surrounding municipal drinking water is constantly changing ever since the Walkerton tragedy. The Ministry of Environment has been working with municipal stakeholders to develop a Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) to complement the comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework in Ontario.

In order to comply with new regulations stemming from the recommendations of Justice O'Connor, the Township of Selwyn has developed an Operational Plan that meets the requirements of the DWQMS for the new municipal licencing regulation, including a Drinking Water Quality Policy.

Additional information on the new licencing program is available at the Drinking Water Ontario website. 

Annual Monitoring Reports - Water and Sewer Systems

Peterborough Utilities Services Inc.

1867 Ashburnham Drive
P.O. Box 4125, Station Main
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 6X5

Phone: 705-748-9301
Fax: 705-748-3138
Website
 Source Water Protection

Source Protection Logo

We all have a role to play in caring for our water. The first step is protecting the surface or ground water that supplies municipal drinking water systems. This is called Source Water Protection.

If we want clean water tomorrow, we need to protect our sources of water today.

The Clean Water Act sets out a framework for source protection planning on a watershed basis. A watershed is an area of land that is drained by a river and its tributaries into a body of water such as a lake or river. Water is shared as it flows across the boundaries of municipalities, cities and towns. The best way to protect water is on a watershed-basis.

The Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region includes both the Trent and Ganaraska watersheds. Under the Act, Source Protection Areas were established based on the watershed boundaries of Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities. The Crowe Valley, Ganaraska, Kawartha, Lower Trent and Otonabee Conservation Authorities have entered into a partnership for this region. These five Conservation Authorities encompass a 14,500 square kilometre area stretching from Algonquin Park to Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte. Collectively they comprise The Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region.

For more information, visit the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region website.
 Water Rates
Woodland Acres Water & Sewer Rates
Lakefield Water Rates
 Watering Restrictions
Each year we must ask you to observe lawn and garden watering restrictions in order to ensure there is enough water for everyone. We are authorized to add a $50 surcharge to the water bill of residents who choose not to comply.
Peterborough and Woodland Acres

From June 1 to August 31

  • Even-numbered addresses may water only on even-numbered days between 7 am and 10 pm.
  • Odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered days between 7 am and 10 pm.
Lakefield

From May 15 to September 15

  • Even-numbered addresses may water only on even-numbered days from 7-9 am and 6-10 pm.
  • Odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered days from 7-9 am and 6-10 pm.

For more information, call the Peterborough Utilities Customer Service Department at 705-748-6900.
 Resources
  • Blue-Green Algae - What is Blue Green Algae? What are the health risks? What precautions should I take?

Private Water Systems

Private water systems within the remainder of the Township draw water from wells, cisterns, lakes and rivers.

 Well Water Sample Testing

Drinking water from private residences and cottages can be tested for free. Sample bottles are available at the Regional Public Health Laboratory, Peterborough Public Health, and township offices.

Water sample kits are available for pickup at the Selwyn Township Municipal Office, located at 1310 Centre Line, Selwyn, during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).

Once completed, water sample kits can be dropped off at:

  • Bridgenorth Pharmacy at 871 Ward Street, Bridgenorth 
  • Public Health Ontario Laboratory at 99 Hospital Drive, Peterborough between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
  • Peterborough Public Health at 185 King Street, Peterborough, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon on Fridays.

Resources
  • Well Disinfection Tool - The well disinfection tool from Public Health Ontario provides an easy way to calculate the amount of chlorine product that is needed to disinfect a well. The tool also provides the procedures and precautions to take when disinfecting the well.
  • Well Records Map - This map allows you to search and view well record information from reported wells in Ontario
  • Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices - This manual provides best management practices and recommended techniques that help a person constructing a well to go beyond the minimum standards set by the Wells Regulation and better protect and minimize adverse impacts to our environment.
  • Blue-Green Algae - What is Blue Green Algae? What are the health risks? What precautions should I take?

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