Water & Sewer

Water and Sewer services are available in the urban service area of Callander. The 2026 water rate is $5.291618 per cubic meters of water used. The wastewater rate for 2026 is $4.966317, calculated at 93.85% of the water useage per cubic meter. There is a minimum quarterly fee of $80.11.  Water bills are sent out on a quarterly basis, based on meter readings and consumption:

1^st Quarter         Representing December 15 to March 15 consumption: due April 30^th
2^nd Quarter        Representing March 16 to June 15 consumption: due July 31^st
3^rd Quarter         Representing June 16 to September 15 consumption: due October 31^st
4^th Quarter         Representing September 16 to December 15 consumption: due January 31^st

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON "HOW TO READ YOUR WATER METER" 

Want to recieve your bill by email? Email the Consent to Receive Bills by Email form to finance@callander.ca to request future bills by email.

Methods of payment: Personal Cheques, Cash, and Interac available. Pre-authorized payment option on due date is available for water/sewer bills.

On-line Banking / Telephone Payments through your Financial Institution can be made by searching for "Callander" on their Payee listing (sometimes appears as "Municipality of...." or "Corporation of...."), then choose "Water”.  When inputting your Water Account #, include all 12 digits. 

Water sampling: Bacterial sample results and quarterly reports are available at the Main Office.

Contact: Please contact Finance at (705) 752-1410 ext. 222 or via e-mail to finance@callander.ca for additional information or inquiries regarding water, sewer and for a final meter reading prior to sale and/or change of tenancy.

Most homeowners may not realize they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their house or sewer lateral (the pipeline between the municipal sewer main and the building).

Some of the most common causes of sewer backups are:

• aging sewer systems: older sewer lines and systems can contribute to increases in sanitary sewer backups, flooded basements, and overflows
• combined pipelines: some systems combine stormwater and raw sewage into the same pipeline, which means that during rain storms or spring melt, the systems are exposed to more volume than they can handle
• tree roots: small roots of trees and shrubs can make their way into sewer line cracks and service pipe joints - in this case, the cost of clean up may fall on the tree's owner
• sanitary main blockages: often blockages of this type occur slowly, and there are early indications of the problem - if you see seepage at the floor drains, call a licensed plumber to assess the situation

If water is entering your basement rapidly, call the municipality Operations Department and report the problem immediately.

How to prevent backups in your sewer lateral and in the Municipality's main:

• Properly dispose of grease: cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of properly after it cools off, not in the drain. If grease is washed down the drain, even with hot water, as the grease cools off it will solidify either in the drain, your sewer line, or in the main sewer line, which will eventually clog the line.
  
• Properly dispose of paper products: paper towels, disposable diapers, hygienic wipes (even those that say flushable!) and feminine products do not deteriorate quickly and can cause trouble in either the property owner's line or the main sewer line.
• Use your garbage disposal correctly: always run water before and after to wash food waste down the drain.
• Don't flush anything else! Kitty litter, for example, is GREAT at clumping up when it meets water - not good for your drains!
• Periodically cut tree roots: if you have continuing problems with tree roots in your lateral, you may have to regularly have the roots cut by a professional.
• Disconnect downspouts, foundation drains and weeping tiles from the municipal drain.
• Add extensions to your downspouts so that rainwater runs away from the house onto the grass or garden instead of the driveway.
• Replace your line with new plastic pipe: plastic pipe prevents tree roots from entering your line.
• Correct illegal plumbing connections: do not connect French drains, sump pumps, and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer, as debris and silt will clog your line.
• Install a backwater prevention valve: this fixture can be installed into a sewer line in the basement of your home or business to prevent sewer backflows. Be sure to have it installed by a qualified plumber.
• Install a sump pump: if your house is in an area where flooding is likely, a sump pump will remove water that accumulates in the basement or crawl space.

Recognize the signs of a sewer backup:

• Seepage at basement floor drains
• A foul smell coming from your drains
• Toilets aren't flushing like they should, and plunging doesn't help
• More than one drain in your house is clogged
• When you use one piece of plumbing (like a toilet), water backs up somewhere else
• Bubbling after you flush a toilet or when a sink is trying to drain (and it happens more than once)

If you notice any of these signs, contact a plumber right away.

If you notice sewage flowing into your drains, toilets, or bathtubs, a sewer backup may already be occurring. If this happens, you should stop using your water, turn off your house's main water supply, and contact a plumber. You can also contact the Municipality's Operations Department to see if they can assist in determining if the problem is in the main sewer or in your own pipe before you bring in a plumber.

Protecting Callander’s Drinking Water

Why This Matters

Callander Bay is our community’s main source of drinking water. It also supports many private water systems across the area.

Keeping septic systems working properly helps protect the water we all rely on. Regular pump-outs prevent leaks and overflow that can harm the bay and surrounding waterways.

What You Need to Do

If your property is located near Callander Bay or its connected watercourses:

• Permanent homes: Pump out your septic tank every 3 years
• Seasonal homes (used less than 12 weeks/year): Pump out every 5 years

These timeframes follow best practices to keep your system working properly and avoid costly problems.

Why Regular Pump-Outs Are Important

Septic tanks fill up with solids over time. If they aren’t emptied regularly:

• The system can overflow
• Wastewater can leak into nearby water
• Drinking water quality can be affected

Routine maintenance is the simplest and most effective way to protect your home, your neighbours, and the lake.

How to Show You’ve Pumped Your System

After your pump-out:

1. Keep your receipt from the service provider
2. Complete the Proof of Pump-Out Form
3. Submit both within 30 days, and before your required deadline

You can submit by email, mail or in person:

Municipality of Callander
280 Main Street North, Box 100
Callander, ON P0H 1H0

info@callander.ca

Selling Your Property?

If you need a Certificate of Compliance, contact:
Brett Thoms, Planning Administrator – 705-752-1410 ext. 306, or bthoms@callander.ca

Your Responsibility

Septic systems are privately owned. This means homeowners are responsible for:

• Regular maintenance
• Scheduling pump-outs
• Keeping the system in good working order

Taking care of your system helps it last longer and avoids expensive repairs.

Need Help or More Information?

For questions about the requirement or your property:
Brett Thoms, Planning Administrator – 705-752-1410 ext. 306; bthoms@callander.ca

Or

Sara Berry, Executive Assistant – 705-752-1410 ext. 230

For inspections and permits:
North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority – 705-474-5420; nbmca@nbmca.ca

Working together, we can protect Callander Bay and keep our drinking water safe for everyone.

The map indicates subject area of the By-law.

Did you know?

As a homeowner you are responsible for the water and sewer service lines buried on your private property. A breakdown to these lines could happen without warning resulting in an unexpected and costly emergency repair. The lifespan of a service line depends on many factors including construction material, soil conditions and the location, number and species of nearby trees. While not typically covered by basic homeowners’ insurance, residents are encouraged to check with their provider to confirm if they have existing coverage. Residents may also consider coverage from an external service plan provider.

Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC)

The Municipality of Callander has partnered with Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) to offer eligible homeowners optional repair plans to help protect residents against potentially expensive emergency repairs to water service lines or well and sewer/septic lines on their private property.

Participation is optional and voluntary for homeowners. The program is solely managed by SLWC and uses no public funds. Residents will not be solicited in person or by phone. A homeowner who chooses to enroll in this program should do so with the knowledge that the Municipality of Callander in no way warrants or is liable for the work or performance of SLWC.

Is a resident obligated to purchase coverage?
No. This is an optional, voluntary program. This program is being offered to our residents for their convenience. Residents are under no obligation to purchase any service plans, and residents’ utility service will not be affected in any way if they choose not to participate in this program.
Isn’t this the same as homeowners insurance?
Residents are encouraged to contact their home insurance provider and find out what their coverage is in this area. Chances are that some damages would be covered, but the actual repair or replacement of the pipes would not. This can cost thousands of dollars. A couple of insurance companies are now offering this as a “rider” to a homeowner policy.
However, a homeowners insurance policy rider may require a deductible and an out-of-pocket cost upfront, with the homeowner being reimbursed after the fact. Homeowners also must find their own contractors.
Service Line Warranties of Canada does not have any call-out fees or deductibles. Contractors are pre- screened, dispatched and paid directly by Service Line Warranties.

THE SLWC recently launch the SLWC Cares program designed to help residents in financial need faced with service line emergency with no form of coverage and no way to pay their repair bills. For more information, please visit: https://servicelinewarranties.ca/slwc-cares/

For more Information on available plans, please contact SLWC:

• Website slwofc.ca
• Toll-free phone number: 1-844-616-8444

Or to learn more on how this partnership works, please view the video below

https://vimeo.com/homeservebd/review/548579802/7f4756df41

Click here for a video about Manganese & why its effecting our water

What causes coloured drinking water?

Coloured water occurs due to the presence of manganese in the system’s source water, Callander Bay. Manganese can cause brown or blackish coloured water and tends to increase in the lake during the warmer summer months.

Manganese is a mineral that is found naturally in the environment and is one of the most abundant metals on the earth’s surface, in air, water and soil. It can be found in both groundwater and surface water from natural sources.

Is manganese in water safe?

The limit for manganese in drinking water (0.05 mg/L) is set by the Province of Ontario and is an aesthetic objective. Aesthetic objectives are established for parameters that may impair the taste, smell or colour of water. There is no health-based limit for manganese set by the Province of Ontario.

Drinking water is regularly tested by OCWA and meets the provincial drinking water regulations set out by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

How is manganese removed from our water?

Manganese is removed from the drinking water in Callander through the addition of potassium permanganate prior to water filtration and through the flushing of fire hydrants.

Potassium permanganate is used to remove manganese from raw water. It causes the manganese to become a solid so that it can then be removed by the filtration plant filters. When raw water shows low to no level of manganese, the potassium permanganate system is removed from the treatment process.

Flushing is also a common solution, but less favourable in the winter months due to the potential for freezing in culverts and ditches. It also stirs up accumulated iron sediment in the system, which would in turn also discolour the water temporarily.

How can I remove coloured water and sediment from my home?

Residents are advised to run their taps on cold until the coloured water and sediment are removed. Taps should be run for at least five minutes or more until sediment and colour are no longer present.

You should avoid running your hot water taps to avoid pulling sediment into your hot water heater. If sediment was pulled into your hot water heater, you should consider draining your tank. Other hot water tanks, such as fridge ice makers may also need to be emptied.

Additionally, it is advisable to avoid running your washing machine while coloured water is visible as manganese can stain clothing.

How can I help?

The Municipality encourages all residents to contact the Municipality whenever coloured water or sediment is experienced. All reports from residents when water quality issues arise help the system operator determine where manganese levels are causing coloured water and can help determine if specific neighbourhoods require increased hydrant flushing.

If you experience discoloured water, please run cold water taps until the water runs clear, typically 5-10 minutes. If you have flushed your taps as above and are still experiencing issues, please contact the Municipality at 705-752-1410 or you can e-mail us at info@callander.ca. Remember, comments and inquiries regarding brown water on our social media channels will not be addressed.