April 4 update: Coldwater Wastewater Treatment Plant bypass event has ended

Update for April 4: The bypass event that started on April 3 has ended, and treatment at the Coldwater Wastewater Treatment Plant has resumed. Monitoring, testing, and reporting have been ongoing through the event and after it ended. 

The municipal drinking water system in Coldwater remains fully operational, and the water is safe to drink.

Thank you to our hard-working wastewater operators who managed this situation throughout the day and night. 

Due to the significant rainfall and resulting flooding in Coldwater this week, the Coldwater Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently experiencing a bypass event. 

This notice applies to all residents of Coldwater that receive municipal wastewater services.

To protect the infrastructure of the wastewater treatment plant, excess flow that reaches the facility is being diverted around the plant’s treatment processes and discharged into the Coldwater River. 

A bypass event can prevent:

• rainwater and sewage from backing up and potentially causing basement and/or surface flooding in the service area
• the wastewater treatment plant from flooding, which can cause significant damage to the facility and it's mechanical and electrical equipment.

We are working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks to complete all required monitoring, testing, and reporting. 

Severn will provide regular updates on our:

• website
• Notice page
• social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and X)

Please note that this is a wastewater system issue related to sewage and drainage, not the drinking water system. The municipal drinking water system remains fully operational, and the water is safe to drink. There is no boil water advisory in effect and no risk to the safety of Coldwater's drinking water.

Severn is asking residents to limit water use during this time to reduce pressure on the system. Please avoid doing laundry, limit showers, toilet flushing, etc. until further notice.

Contact us

Customer Care Team
Phone: 705-325-2315
Email the Customer Care Team