The Town of Smiths Falls says its drinking water remained safe and fully compliant with provincial standards throughout 2025.
The annual summary report, prepared under Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act, shows the system received a 100 per cent inspection rating from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, with no non-compliance issues identified.
The report notes about 1.46 million cubic metres of treated water were supplied in 2025, staying within approved limits.
Despite strong overall performance, the report highlights ongoing challenges with water loss. About 38.9 per cent of water was classified as non-revenue water, up from 30.7 per cent in 2024, largely due to leaks and system inefficiencies.
Manager of Water & Wastewater Andrew MacNaughton says this year there’s a big focus on prevention efforts.
He noted the eight watermain breaks the town saw in 2025 as another contributor.
The Town’s infrastructure leakage index was rated “poor,” indicating a need for continued improvements.
A major infrastructure upgrade was completed late in the year, with a new 5,000 cubic metre elevated water storage tower coming into service in December. The addition is expected to improve system pressure, reliability and fire protection.
Operational costs for water treatment totalled about $1.23 million, with increases noted in chemical and laboratory expenses.
Story by Grat Deme