Operations

Water Distribution System

The water distribution system consists of approximately 463 kilometers of pipe (water mains), 2,299 hydrants and 27,229 individual water services. Hydrants are colour-coded according to the Ontario Fire Code requirements to indicate the available flow rate at a 20 psi residual pressure.

Water Treatment Plant

The water treatment plant is located on the west shore of the Otonabee River at 1230 Water Street North, Peterborough, adjacent the Riverview Park and Zoo. The plant was initially built in 1922 and expanded in 1952, 1965 and 1995. Dual intakes draw water from the Otonabee River (surface water) into the low lift pumping area where the raw water is coarse screened and pumped into the plant for full treatment. The conventional treatment process  includes coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorine disinfection.

Aluminum sulphate is used as the primary coagulant. Chlorine is used for primary and secondary disinfection. Other chemicals used are sodium silicate (pH control), and fluoride (dental benefits).

The current rated capacity of the plant is 104 ML/day. The Permit to Take Water currently authorizes water taking at 190.68 ML/d (132,743 L/m).

Tour of the WTP

If you wish to book a tour of the water treatment plant please email us

Want to tour the water treatment plant

Long term master plan

The Peterborough Utilities Commission updated the utility master plan in 2019. View the master plan for additional details.

Source Water Protection

The source of raw (untreated) water for Peterborough's drinking water is the Otonabee River. The Otonabee River water is of good quality and can be described as a moderately coloured water of low turbidity. The river water temperature ranges from 0°C (winter) to approximately 27°C (summer). The raw river water is a surface water supply, which means that it is considered to be an unprotected source. Accordingly, we assume that raw water always requires full treatment at the Peterborough Water Treatment Plant to make it drinkable or potable.

The areas around the water plant are protected under the Trent Source Protection Plan  that was approved by the Ministry of Conservation and Parks. For more information on the program visit Otonabee Conservation.