Toronto Water

Toronto Water was created to run and maintain Toronto's water supply network.

History

Water treatment was originally established to provide safe drinking water. In the 1800s, the water off the city's shores was severely polluted by dumping of waste from residences and businesses. Prior to the 1950s, the municipalities were responsible for water treatment. The current system was introduced in the mid 1950s with the formation of Metro Toronto in 1954 and was managed by Metro Works. Following amalgamation in 1998, Toronto Water was created from the Toronto Works and Emergency Services and once part of Metro Toronto Works department.

Operations

Distribution

Pumping stations are located across the city to pump water from the filtration plants to residences. They are particularly critical as the city is elevated as it moves northwards.Some pumping stations are located outside the city.

* John Street
* Toronto Island
* Scarborough Pumping Station - formerly Scarborough Filtration Plant
* Miliken Reservoir and Pumping Station
* Bayview Pumping Station
* Dufferin Pumping Station
* Ellesmere Reservoir and Pumping Station
* Thornhill Pumping Station
* High Level Pumping Station (Forest Hill)

torage

Water in the city is stored once it is treated and ensures uninterrupted water supply.

There are 16 water towers located in the city [http://www.eureka4you.com/wtower-on-t/] . The main ones are:

* Warden (East) - Warden Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East
* Morningside (North) - Sheppard Avenue near Morningside Road
* Richview (West)
* Leslie (North Central) - Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East

There are 10 reservoirs. The main 8 reservoirs:
* G. Lord Ross (North) - Finch Avenue West and Dufferin Street
* Clairville (West) - Highway 27 and Steeles Avenue West
* Rosehill Reservoir (South)
* Miliken Reservoir and Pumping Station (East)
* Ellesmere Reservoir and Pumping Station (East)
* Lawrence Reservoir (West) - Lawrence Avenue West and Caledonia Road
* Keele Reservoir (North) - Keele Street and Steeles Avenue West
* Sir Winston Churchill Reservoir (South)
* St. Clair Reservoir

Treatment

Water pumped from the lake is treated with filters and chlorinated before use at the city's filtration plants:

* R.C. Harris
* Island
* F. J. Horgan (formerly Easterly)
* R.L. Clark (formerly Westerly)

Wastewater Treatment

The city of Toronto has four facilities that process wastewater before it is returned to the lake.

*Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant
*North Toronto Wastewater Treatment Plant
*Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
*Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant

Organization

As of April 2005, the departments and commissioners were replaced by divisions under the City Manager (and Deputy Managers):

Toronto Water is now under Toronto Water Division.