Water and Sewer Services>
The Township's Water and Sewer systems are operated under contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA).
Water and Sewer FAQs
For billing inquiries or account balances, please call the Public Works Department at 705-424-9917 ext 114.
For information on setting up or cancelling an existing water and sewer account, please see our Moving page. Alternatively you can contact the Public Works Department by calling 705-424-9917 extension 114.
If you require assistance after hours or in an emergency, please contact OCWA at 1-800-461-9675.
*Prior to contacting OCWA, please review the following to avoid unnecessary charges*
Municipal Water
All owners of property shall maintain in proper order and repair, at the owner's expense, the private water service and its fixtures and appurtenances between the water shut off valve/ property line and the building.
Most water disruption or leakage problems are situated within the private water service or plumbing system inside the building, so the owner of the property is responsible for repairing such private water service, at the owner's expense.
The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) should only be called if the owner or their plumber has determined the problem is related to the watermains/ distribution system out on the street. To assist you in determining if this is the case, please contact one or more of your neighbours in close proximity to see if their water supply is disrupted as well. If so, then contact OCWA.
Municipal Sanitary Sewers
All owners of property shall maintain in proper order, including; cleaning, repairing and replacement of the sanitary sewer service from the building to the sanitary sewer main on the street, including the section from the property line to the sanitary sewer main within the road allowance, at the owner's expense.
Most sanitary sewer back-up problems are situated within the sanitary sewer service or plumbing discharge system inside the building for which the user of the property is required to maintain and repair, at the owner's expense.
The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) should only be called if the owner or their plumber has determined the sewer back-up problem is related to the sanitary sewer main on the street. To assist you in determining if this is the case; please contact one or more of your neighbours in close proximity to see if they are experiencing a similar sewer back-up problem. If so, then contact OCWA.
Be aware that if OCWA is called out for investigation and it is found that the problem is related to the private water service or the sanitary sewer service for which the owner of the property is responsible to keep in good working order and repair, the owner of the property shall be invoiced for OCWA's call out, which can be quite significant for after regular hours, public holidays and weekend call outs.
For concerns or difficulties experienced with flushing of the lines, water discolouration, water pressure, sewers, or work in your area, please call OCWA at 1-866-775-7712 during normal business hours.
If a response is not received from OCWA during normal business hours, please contact the Public Works Coordinator.
To change the address your bill goes to simply fill out the change of address form.
Township of Essa
Public Works Department ext. 114
Phone: 705-424-9917
Fax: 705-424-2367
TTY: 705-424-5302