Curious about where your drinking water comes from? Toronto Water is vital to this city. It manages the water supply network. Toronto Water also handles stormwater and wastewater. This division ensures the city’s water is safe. It serves Toronto plus parts of Peel and York Regions.
Let’s dive into its history. Toronto’s early water supply was pretty basic. Before 1842, water was hand-pumped from Lake Ontario. It came from streams and wells. Water carters then delivered it to residents. From 1843 to 1873, a private company took over. Albert Furniss owned Toronto Water Works. The City of Toronto bought Furniss Works after his death. This put the water supply in public hands. It became the Toronto Water Works Commission.
The current system began in the mid-1950s. Metro Toronto managed it. Since 1975, Toronto has supplied water to York Region. Amalgamation in 1998 created Toronto Water. It came from Toronto Works and Emergency Services.
Toronto uses four water treatment plants. All are on Lake Ontario. The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant opened in 1941. It’s the oldest in Toronto. This plant produces about 30% of the city’s drinking water. The Island Water Treatment Plant opened in 1977. It produces about 20% of Toronto’s drinking water. The F. J. Horgan Water Treatment Plant opened in 1979. It supplies water to the east end and York Region. The R. L. Clark Water Treatment Plant opened in 1968. It produces about 30% of Toronto’s drinking water.
Toronto Water treats water from Lake Ontario. The process includes pre-chlorination. Flocculation and sedimentation are next. Filtration follows, then chlorination. Finally, chloramination occurs before distribution.
The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant has a cool nickname. It’s called “The Palace of Purification”. Before the plant, Victoria Park was here. It was a waterfront amusement park. Roland Caldwell Harris is the plant’s namesake. He was the Public Works Commissioner.
Toronto Water manages wastewater too. The city has four wastewater treatment plants. These plants screen and remove grit. They provide primary and secondary treatment. Disinfection is the final step. This process ensures the water meets standards. It can then return to the environment.
Heavy rainfall can cause issues. Excess flow sometimes bypasses treatment. This happens at Ashbridges Bay and Humber plants. These areas have older combined sewers. The city also uses detention storage facilities. These hold sewage for later treatment.
Toronto Water’s responsibilities are vast. They include drinking water treatment and wastewater management. Toronto Water also handles stormwater. They manage many facilities across the city. These include treatment plants and pumping stations. Toronto Water works to provide safe water. They serve residents and businesses responsibly.