Water and Sewer

The Municipality initiated this project in 2012 to look at long term servicing options for the entire Municipality.  In the final stages, the Master Plan is focused on servicing in Markdale and the current developments taking place.  This requires the water storage facility to be upgraded and optimization of the lagoon capacity.  

The Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan has been received and the Notice of Study Completion has been posted.   

We are asking for feedback on the plan within the next 30 days. Comments should be sent to the contacts listed on the notice of completion.

If you have any questions, please contact Shawn Moyer, Director of Public Utilities at 519-986-4784.

How to pay your water bill

Pre-authorized utility payment plans

Sign up for one of our pre-authorized payment plans:

1. Billed amount on the account on the due date of the utility billing
2. Fixed Amount on the account on the last business day of the month

To sign up, fill out the Pre-Authorized Utility Payment Plan Form

Grey Highlands accepts payments through most banking institutions. Please register with your bank by using your account number located on your tax bill.

In Person

Payments are accepted at the Grey Highlands Municipal Office located at 206 Toronto Street South Markdale.

By credit card

Grey Highlands uses Paymentus to allow you to pay your tax and utility bills by credit card.  Please note Paymentus charges an additional fee for this service (2.95% for tax bills and $5.95 per $250.00 for water bills).

By Mail

Payments can be mailed to:

Municipality of Grey Highlands

PO Box 409

Markdale ON N0C 1H0

The Municipality of Grey Highlands will be undertaking a water meter replacement program to update the water meters for the Markdale and Kimberley-Amik-Talisman Water System users. This program is anticipated to take 6 years to complete (2019- 2024), and the work will be scheduled by streets or subdivision.

The new Neptune meters will improve the efficiency of reading water meters through the installation of radio frequency meters. Once a new meter is installed, the need for Municipal staff to enter homes/businesses or private property to obtain meter readings will be minimized. The new meters are more accurate, but the total volume on the bill will still be cubic meters and billed according to the current Water Rates. When a community reduces water use, it benefits everyone by preserving the resource and deferring the investment in water supply infrastructure.

To assist this program, we are asking property owners to contact Public Utilities Department to set up an appointment within 10 business days of receiving this notice. The Municipality is legislated to maintain an accurate record of water consumption within the distribution system. There will be no cost associated with the new water meter.

As a property owner on the municipal water or sewer systems in Grey Highlands, you are responsible for repairs on the water and sewer lines that are between your home and the property line. The Municipality is responsible for maintenance and repairs of the municipal water or sewer pipes only up to the property line.

If a line requires repair or replacement on your property, it is your responsibility to pay for these repairs which can be costly, depending on the type of work.

To help prepare for the unexpected, the Municipality is advising all property owners on municipal water or sewer check their insurance companies to see if they offer coverage for water and sewer line protection.

Alternatively, there is an optional repair program which provides coverage to your outside lines, and in-home plumbing. The program is administered through Service Line Warranties of Canada and they provide coverage 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. https://www.slwofc.ca/

Locate Requests

To request a locate, visit the Ontario One Call site to submit your request online.

Municipal Water Systems

The Markdale drinking water system consists of two groundwater well sites, one elevated stand pipe along with the associated watermains, services and hydrants. This system provides potable water to all the residences, business and industry within the Village. The Village of Kimberley, Amik Subdivision, and Talisman Mountain Springs Inn are all connected to create what is known as the Kimberley Amik Talisman Water System. The water treatment facility, which is built at the top of the Amik Subdivision, processes raw water which is collected from two springs along the Niagara Escarpment. The raw water is filtered and chlorinated and stored in a reservoir.

The Municipality has a Drinking Water Quality Management System in place under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002

The Public Utilities staff have created a Water Quality Survey to collect feedback from municipal water system users on their satisfaction of their water and service levels.  Pleae take a moment to complete the survey.

Report a Problem

Please report any problems with your water or sewer service.  For after-hour emergencies, please call 519-986-4784.

Sanitary Sewer

To help mitigate a sewer backup, read our sewer do's and don'ts.  Reducing fats, oils and greases is another way to prevent sewer backup.

Drinking Water Source Protection

Visit the Drinking Water Source Protection website for information related to source water protection and to see if your property is within the vulnerable area.

Water and Sewer Rates

Water and Wastewater Rates by System 

2016 Water and Wastewater Rate Study 

Annual Reports

Why Choose Tap Water?

It is Safe

The Public Utilities department must meet strict requirements under Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act.

Water from the system is tested regularly for bacteria levels and tested for more than 70 chemicals. We also monitor our water quality 24/7 to make sure it is safe for you and your family. All of our sample results are available for anyone to review.

It Costs Less

To buy a case of 500 mL bottle of water, you will spend roughly $2.00 to $6.00. If you chose to use a 500 mL reusable water bottle instead, you could refill the same bottle 2000 times for only $0.73 in Markdale, or 1000 times for $1.42 in Kimberley.

Don’t Like the Taste?

Grey Highlands uses chlorine to disinfect the water from harmful bacteria. Although we use a small amount, some people are still sensitive to the taste and smell of chlorine in drinking water. Here are some tips to help minimize the chlorine taste:

• Refrigerate tap water a few hours before drinking, this allows chlorine to dissipate
• Fill a water cooler jug, this allows chlorine to dissipate
• Install a carbon filter on your faucet you fill a glass with
• Add lemon or lime for a refreshing taste

A Better Choice for the Environment

Drinking tap water is an environmentally responsible and sustainable practice. Choosing tap water prevents single-use plastic bottles from ending up in our landfill. Tap water saves the energy required to manufacture, transport and recycle single-use bottles.

Tap Water is Convenient

To help make drinking tap water the most convenient choice:

• Remember to bring a reusable bottle with you
• Keep a container filled at home or work
• Have a glass by your bed if you get thirsty through the nights
• Let kids choose their own reusable bottle with a fun pattern and a lid they can operate
• Have a large container you can fill with water, ice and sliced citrus or cucumbers when hosting an event