The Township of Huron-Kinloss owns and distributes clean, safe drinking water to residents along the Lakeshore (Amberley to Huronville), Lucknow, Ripley, and Whitechurch.
The Township works in coordination with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), as the Operating Authority, for both the water and waste water systems. If you would like to know more about OCWA, please check out their website at https://www.ocwa.com.
Homeowners and property owners are responsible for the water service pipes and assets on their private property. Rural properties are responsible for sourcing their own drinking water through a private well system.
Find more information and answers to common questions, see below or contact the Manager of Environmental Services at the Township office.
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 519-395-3735
Emergency/After Hours: 1-866-299-5199
Fees for non-metered municipal water and sewers are flat rate and set in the Water and Wastewater Fees By-Law. They are on your tax bill which is explained on the property taxes page.
Metered water is billed each quarter and invoices can be paid by cash, cheque, debit, or e-transfer.
Home owners are encouraged to have their water service turned off prior to leaving for an extended period of time. Call the office two days ahead if you need this service. There is no charge for this service.
Alternatively, during the winter season, you may want to keep a tap running a continuous stream of cold water (about a "pencil lead width") to help prevent lines from freezing.
As per the Frozen Services Policy, if loss of water service occurs due to freezing, the cost to attempt to thaw the service will be at the homeowner’s expense. The homeowner shall be responsible to thaw the service line from the building to the municipal water main.
Fire hydrants are flushed every spring and fall for system maintenance and to address water quality concerns.
If you need the use of a fire hydrant, you need permission from the Manager of Environmental Services and to use a back flow prevention device. Please call the office at 519-395-3735.
Huronville Subdivision – Kincardine Drinking Water System
Properties in the Huronville Subdivision, from Saratoga Rd to Huronville St including the east side of Penetangore Row, Anne Marie Cres, Deborah Dr, Heather Blvd, and Keyes Circle are connected to the Kincardine Water System which is operated by the Municipality of Kincardine.
For testing and results see the following reports:
The Lawn Watering By-Law allows for lawn and garden watering while helping to preserve our water supply and keep demand from getting too high. From June 1st - September 15th annually, please observe the following :
Even numbered houses on even numbered days:
Odd numbered houses on odd numbered days:
If you are building and would like to connect to the municipal water service, please call the Manager of Environmental Services during business hours at 519-395-3735.
If you have a private well you should test the water on a regular basis. Please see the following link for information on where to get water sample collection kits and drop-off locations.
Huron-Kinloss drinking water is supplied by several secure wells or groundwater systems and has naturally hard water. If you dislike the taste or feel of hard water, please call a local plumber to discuss adding a water softener to your home system. When setting up your water softener, please see the Grains of Hardness for your area. If you have any questions you may call us at 519-395-3735 ext.133.
Sample results show sodium chloride and fluoride in our drinking water. Both are naturally found in ground water. Too much of either can be bad for your health. Please see the attached Sodium-Fluoride-Barium-Iron Water Results for data.
If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, you can learn more from our Sodium fact sheet or speak to your health care provider.
If you have concerns about fluoride you can learn more from our Fluoride fact sheet or speak to your dentist.
The Whitechurch Drinking Water System also has naturally occurring Barium. If you have concerns about Barium you can learn more from our Barium fact sheet or speak with your health care provider.
Bacterial tests are taken on a weekly basis. The monthly summaries for each water system as well as the most recent weekly sample for the month is attached below. A paper copy is also available at the Municipal office.
Monthly Water and Wastewater Summary:
Most Recent Weekly Sample:
Quarterly test results for other compounds are within acceptable levels and are attached below. A paper copy is also available at the Municipal office.
Quarterly Sample Results 2026-Lakeshore
Quarterly Sample Results 2026 -Lucknow
Quarterly Sample Results 2026 - Ripley
Quarterly Sample Results 2026 - Whitechurch
If you would like to review testing results from previous years, please contact the Public Works department at 519-395-3735 ext. 133.
Drinking water source protection is an Ontario public health initiative. Source water protection helps to protect your municipal sources of drinking water. New tools to protect municipal drinking water sources (such as groundwater and surface water from Lake Huron, through the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006), include locally developed and provincially approved source protection plans. See Environmental Initiatives for more information.
If you are a seasonal resident and would like the water turned on/off for the season, please contact us a minimum of two business days before. The owner/plumber must be present when turning water on to avoid leaks and possible damage. There is no fee for this service.
Under no circumstances is anyone other than the Water Operating Authority, or someone working under their supervision, to operate a curb stop or valve. This infrastructure is owned by the Township. Anyone who operates it is liable for possible damage or water contamination. Cost of repair will be invoiced directly to property owner/contractor.
If you are getting yellow or brown water from a tap that is used regularly, please flush your system by opening an outside tap or bathtub faucet and running cold water for at least 20 minutes or until the water clears. If it does not clear, have a plumber check your hot water heater for possible sediment.
If you have low water pressure, first check your own home system including:
If either of these problems persist, call the Municipal office at 519-395-3735 during regular business hours or the emergency line at 1-866-299-5199 for after hour calls.
The Township of Huron-Kinloss Water Department in cooperation with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is committed to delivering clean, reliable, and safe drinking water. Annual reports including operational plans, financial plans, and drinking water quality management plans are found below.
Note: The Municipality of Kincardine distributes water to the Huronville Subdivision. Please see the Huronville tab for details and reports.
Contact Us
Manager of Environmental Services
Township of Huron-Kinloss
21 Queen St. P.O. Box 130
Ripley ON N0G 2R0
Phone 519-395-3735 x157
Fax 519-395-4107
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