MANITOUWADGE --The area known as the Bird section of Manitouwadge, as well as the churches and a few adjacent houses, will be affected by the planned water main swabbing, which will take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Monday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Sept 30.
The preventative maintenance, which is necessary to remove any built-up silt and to inspect for potential concerns, is being performed by the Township’s contractor, Ontario Clean Water agency (OCWA).
Residents are advised to not use their water taps while swabbing is in progress. If you do use the water and experience plumbing issues, the cost may be at the homeowner’s expense. To reduce the chance of this happening, you may choose to turn off the water supply where it enters your home and turn off the power to your hot water tank. Be mindful of the plumbing; do not flush toilets or use outside faucets during these hours. Even the ice maker on your refrigerator may use township water! Be sure to prepare any water you may need for drinking, handwashing and flushing the toilet for the overnight hours.
After the swabbing has been completed in your area, the water may be turned back on. Remove the aerator from the first cold water tap on your system, and flush out the water for a few minutes to clear any dirt or obstacles that may be in the line.
Information about Manitouwadge’s drinking water supply:
Water is an important resource, and careful steps are taken to ensure the best possible quality for the residents.
The town’s water, which is extracted from five wells, consists of a two-stage disinfection process, followed by the water being passed through an aerator unit for further cleaning and control of the pH levels. The treated water is stored in a concrete underground reservoir, where it is then distributed with the use of various pumps.
Our water is reasonably clean and secure, and most of us can drink freely of it, but there are two notable issues with the chemistry of Manitouwadge’s potable water supply.
Although the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports community water fluoridation, it is not added to the town’s water. Darren MacKenzie, Manitouwadge’s Director of Public Works, looked into the matter with the OCWA. They said that the decision for not fluorinating predates their operation of the facility, so could not provide a definite answer. They suggested that, as fluoride is considered a dangerous good, special facilities and equipment would be required, as well as special training and medical monitoring of the staff. Furthermore, fluoride is very aggressive on equipment & machinery, which may have lead people in the past to feel the maintenance costs and regulations on handling fluoride did not provide a cost benefit. At this point in time, naturally occurring fluoride in the Town’s water is 0.071 mg/L, which is well below the standard limit of 1.5 mg/L
For those who are concerned about fluoride and their dental care, look for fluoridated toothpastes and consult with your dentist about treatment options.
The other issue is regarding the sodium levels in the drinking water. In March 2020, a sampling of the drinking water supply revealed the presence of sodium at a concentration of 42.2 parts per million. In the February 2021 report, that number has risen to 45.8. Sodium at concentrations above 20 parts per million may be a concern to those with certain health conditions. Individuals on a sodium restricted diet are encouraged to seek an alternate approved source of drinking water. For more information, go to the Water Works page on the Township website.
Drinking water is essential to a healthy lifestyle. We are stewards of the water here in Northern Ontario; let’s all do our part to protect it.