This ensures the highest water quality possible for delivery to the consumer. Samples are drawn weekly from homes and businesses throughout Smiths Falls. These samples are tested in the plant lab as well as by a provincially certified private laboratory. This distribution system must be maintained in the best possible condition at all times. A poorly maintained or neglected system is expensive to fix and can cause numerous problems for everyone.
Winter can play havoc with water systems.
Problems such as frozen mains and services, water main breaks, frozen hydrants and hydrants buried by snow banks, as well as street valve stand pipes plugged with ice are a few of the problems experienced every winter. To combat these conditions, a variety of equipment is put into service. Thawing machines for frozen mains and services, steamers to access iced-up valves, and a backhoe and dump truck are available for excavation and snow removal. Staff respond to calls from the public and perform general maintenance work. Frozen ground requires compressors and jack hammers to penetrate up to 6 feet of frost.