Town Successfully Completes Transition of Water and Wastewater Operations to OCWA

Penetanguishene -  The Town of Penetanguishene is pleased to announce the successful transition of its water and wastewater operations to the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), marking an important milestone in the Town's commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable services for residents.

Residents continue to receive the same high standard of water and wastewater services, supported by dedicated local operators and backed by the resources and expertise of one of Ontario's leading public-sector water service providers.

"This transition has always been about ensuring long-term excellence in service delivery for our community," said Jeff Lees, Chief Administrative Officer.  "Our residents expect safe drinking water, dependable wastewater services, and strong stewardship of public infrastructure. Partnering with OCWA helps us achieve those goals while positioning the Town to meet future operational and regulatory challenges."

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is a Crown agency of the Government of Ontario, providing water and wastewater operational services to communities across the province. Through this partnership, the Town maintains ownership of all municipal water and wastewater infrastructure while benefiting from enhanced operational support, specialized expertise, and access to a broader network of licensed professionals.

"As we move forward with OCWA, residents can be assured that local accountability remains unchanged," said Mayor Doug Rawson. "The Town continues to own its infrastructure, establish service expectations, and oversee the delivery of these critical services. This is a public-sector partnership focused on strengthening service delivery for our community, which will always be a high priority."

The Town also wishes to clarify that the transition does not represent a privatization of water or wastewater services. OCWA is a public Crown agency that operates on behalf of municipalities throughout Ontario. Water and wastewater assets remain publicly owned, and municipal oversight remains firmly in place.

“We are proud to begin this partnership with the Town of Penetanguishene as our municipal system owner and to welcome the community to the OCWA family,” said Iman Hashemi, President and CEO of OCWA. “At OCWA, we believe strong partnerships are the foundation of sustainable, resilient water and wastewater services. We are committed to working closely with the Town to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality water and wastewater services and solutions that protect public health, support environmental stewardship and meet the long-term needs of the community.”

A key priority throughout the transition was maintaining operational continuity and retaining valuable local knowledge. Through employee transition arrangements, existing staff were provided opportunities to continue serving the community as members of the OCWA team, helping ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of responsibilities.

Where to Direct Your Inquiry

As part of the transition to OCWA, residents are encouraged to use the following contacts to ensure inquiries are directed to the appropriate organization.

Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA)

24-Hour Operations & Emergency Line: 1-888-355-1222

For operational water and wastewater matters, including:

• Water main breaks
• Drinking water quality concerns
• Water service interruptions
• Sewer and wastewater emergencies
• Water pressure or flow concerns
• After-hours operational calls

Town of Penetanguishene

Customer Service: 705-549-7453

For municipal and account-related matters, including:

• Water billing and payment inquiries
• Ownership transfers and account updates
• Water turn-on and turn-off requests
• Water use by-laws, watering restrictions, and bans
• General customer service inquiries

About OCWA

As a trusted cost recovery public agency and water partner to municipalities and communities across Ontario, the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) brings more than 30 years of operational experience, licensed expertise and province-wide support to the communities it serves. OCWA’s mandate is rooted in protecting public health and the environment, while helping client communities build sustainable, resilient water and wastewater systems. OCWA provides services to 170 municipalities across Ontario, operating over 1000 water and wastewater facilities and associated systems.