Water Infrastructure

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).

Water Street Pumphouse

The Water Street Pumphouse is located on the Otonabee River at North end of the City adjacent to the Riverview Park and Zoo and the Water Treatment Plant, The pumphouse was built in 1902.  Many citizen of Peterborough have most likely enjoyed the miniature train ride over the dam, during their visits to the Riverview Park and Zoo.

The goal of water management planning is to contribute to the environmental, social and economic well-being of the people of Ontario through the sustainable development of waterpower resources and to manage these resources in an ecologically sustainable way for the benefit of present and future  generations. 

The Water Street Pumphouse facility, and dam, consists of a pumphouse, hydraulic turbine driven water pumps, generators, seven stoplog bays and one log chute. The facility has five generators and water pumps all using the common forebay. Three generators have their own turbine pit, the other two using a common turbine pit. The facility is able to generate a maximum of 1.25 MW of electricity. The Water Management Plan was originally created in 2005, and last amended in 2018  The goal of the plan is to contribute included a requirement for the owner to prepare Implementation Reports every five years.

Long term master plan

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

Because of the climate in Peterborough, dry-barrel hydrants must be used over wet barrel hydrants. Dry-barrel hydrants have the shutoff valve located at the bottom of the barrel and are operated by a long shaft extending down from the operating nut on the top of the hydrant. Dry-barrel hydrants also have a small drain hole at the bottom that allows water to drain from the barrel when the hydrant is shut off. This will drain the barrel of the hydrant after use to prevent freezing. In areas of high water table, the drain hole is plugged and the hydrant must be manually pumped out after each use. There are over 2,000 hydrants in Peterborough.

Hydrant locations should be selected carefully. They should be readily visible and located near a paved surface where they will be accessible to fire-fighting equipment. They should also be placed where they are protected from damage by vehicles and are least liable to be covered by plowed snow. In Peterborough, hydrants are generally placed 300 mm from the property line on the same side of the street as the water main.

Hydrant Maintenance

Bright paint protects hydrants from rusting and makes them easy for the fire department to find. Well-maintained hydrants also project a positive public image of the water system. In Peterborough, hydrants are painted every four years and the colour of the hydrants bonnet and caps represents its flow capacity. Blue represents the highest available flow, green and orange represent moderate flow and red represents the lowest flow. This is a requirement from the Ontario Fire Code.

Additionally each year, typically in the fall hydrants are checked for operations prior to the winter months.