Municipal water users in Wasaga Beach are being warned to expect low pressure, discoloured water or brief outages during four nights of watermain swabbing set to begin later this month.
According to a notice from the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) will carry out the maintenance work on Nov. 16 through Nov. 19, 2026, between 9:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each night.
The town is asking residents to avoid using water during those overnight hours while crews flush and swab the drinking water distribution system.
What to expect
The notice says swabbing can cause reduced or no water pressure, brown or red discolouration, and short periods with no water at all. The town cannot tell residents which specific day their area will be affected, because unforeseen issues or delays could change the schedule.
To reduce the chance of discoloured water entering the home, the town suggests shutting off the household's main internal water supply before the meter, if possible.
After the work wraps up
Once crews finish each morning after 6:00 a.m., residents are advised to bypass water softeners and filtration systems if they can, then open a cold water tap — ideally one without a screen, such as a bathtub faucet — and let it run until the water is clear.
The town also recommends flushing taps until the water runs clear before starting any laundry, since discoloured water can stain clothing.
Swabbing is a routine method of cleaning watermains, in which foam swabs are pushed through the pipes to scrape away sediment that builds up over time. The sediment is what causes the temporary brown or red tint residents may notice.
Who to contact
Residents with questions can contact the Town of Wasaga Beach during regular business hours at 1-705-429-2540.
The town is encouraging residents to subscribe to its website for updates on council business, programs and services, upcoming festivals and events, and construction notices.
