UPDATE August 28th 2025:

In house sampling has shown improvements in the concentrations of the naturally occurring compounds responsible for the coloured water event experienced this week at the Tri-County Drinking Water System. At this time, operations Staff are beginning to work diligently to flush the system. Remote Storage facilities will also be overflowing.   Fire hydrants within the Municipality of West Elgin will be systematically flushed over the next few days to remove any colored water. At the treatment plant, operations staff remain vigilant on the conditions in Lake Erie which can change quickly. Staff continue to work around the clock at the treatment plant to ensure the continued production of aesthetically pleasing water.

Posted August 26th 2025:

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is closely monitoring a decrease in Lake Erie water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations detected through our raw water online monitoring systems at the Tri-County Water Treatment Plant . Additional sampling has also confirmed the presence of elevated concentrations of naturally organic compounds. This is an annual occurrence during the late summer /early fall and conditions in Lake Erie may fluctuate in the coming weeks and months. 

These identified changes in the raw water may contribute to aesthetic issues in the treated water supplied by the Tri-County Drinking Water System. All treatment processes available at the plant to address taste, odour and colour are fully operational. However, it is not possible to predict how long these conditions will persist. 

The naturally organic compounds, although aesthetically unpleasing, are harmless and have no impact to water quality from a health perspective. The treated water supplied from the Tri-County Drinking Water System continues to meet the stringent water quality standards and remains safe to drink.