Water and Sewer Services | City of Orillia

The City provides safe, reliable water and sewer services through its drinking water treatment, distribution, and wastewater treatment systems, ensuring clean water is delivered to homes and businesses across the City.

Call before you dig

You must submit a locate request to Ontario One Call so you can dig safely. The service is free.

Submit a locate request to Ontario One Call

Bulk water

The City offers bulk water services for commercial use. Businesses can access bulk water services through the online portal.

Cross connection and backflow

The City protects the municipal drinking water system through its Cross‑Connection and Backflow Prevention Program. Property owners and businesses may be required to install, test, and maintain backflow prevention devices in accordance with Municipal Code requirements.

Water and wastewater treatment

The City systems safely treat and deliver water and responsibly manage wastewater through advanced treatment processes.

New service connections

Property owners may connect to the municipal water and sanitary sewer systems where services are available at the property line. Before a building permit can be issued, a completed Application and Estimate for Water and Sewer must be submitted and the applicable fees paid. For inquiries regarding water or sewer connections, please call 705-329-7249.

Sanitary sewage system

The sanitary sewer system is an extensive underground network of pipes and pumping equipment to carry wastewater to the treatment plant. Disposing of certain items can upset the process of treating sewage.

Preventing a sewer backup

Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Disposing of these items using drain and toilets can upset the process of treating sewage:

Cooking oils, fats, grease, bacon drippings, butter
Baby wipes, “flushable” wipes, paper towels, tissues, and napkins
Feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, cotton balls, and dental floss
Medications, vitamins, and supplements
Paint, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, and other household chemicals
Motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, and automotive fluids
Coffee grounds, tea leaves, eggshells, food scraps, and kitchen waste (garbage grinders in sinks are not allowed in Orillia)
Hair, pet fur, kitty litter, disposable masks, and gloves

Sewage discharge

Even small amounts of prohibited substances can accumulate and create significant overall impacts, which may pose serious risks to public health and safety, the environment, and municipal infrastructure.

A temporary discharge application is required for anyone intending to discharge water into the City's storm or sanitary sewer systems, in accordance with the Sewage Discharge By-law. Applications may require up to a two‑week review period before approval is granted.

Septage receiving station

The septage receiving station at 125 James St W, Orillia, ON L3V 6Y3 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An approved septage receival application will provide an access code, PIN, and key to use the service.

Environmental compliance inspections

The City conducts environmental compliance inspections of Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) facilities to ensure they meet the requirements of the Sewage Discharge By-law.

These inspections help to avoid sewer backups, protect wastewater treatment processes, and safeguard the environment.