Water Services

Please note the cost is $130 per location.

Flow Test Application Form

Water turn off/on (resident use only)

Residential property owners can request to turn off/on the City’s water supply to their home for the following reasons:

• to complete repairs or renovate a home or building
• to conduct work on a sprinkler system
• if they are going on an extended vacation

Appointments can be booked online using the form below. Water Operators will visit the property to turn the water supply off/on from the outside. Appointments must be booked 48 hours in advance and residents must be home during the appointment (age 18 and over required). Residents must call back to have the water turned back on.

To request that water be turned off/on for a business, commercial or industrial property or unit, high-rise condominium or townhouse complex, please call Access Richmond Hill 905-771-8800 or email access@richmondhill.ca for further assistance.

Fees

• During regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) - $131*
• Outside of regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. and weekends) - $263*

*Subject to additional charges if water off/on is not completed within a 2 hour period  

Book an appointment

Water shut off/on Application Form

Emergency water turn off requests

For emergency residential water turn off requests during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) please contact Access Richmond Hill by phone at 905-771-8800. For emergency requests outside of business hours, please stay on the line and press 0.

Drinking water

A Drinking Water Quality Management System is in place in Richmond Hill to make sure we provide the community with safe drinking water. We maintain a high standard of water quality and prevent health hazards through administration, communication and water quality testing.

Richmond Hill's Drinking Water Quality Management System Policy guides the operations and management of our water distribution systems. The Policy ensures quality and safety standards are met regularly. The Drinking Water Quality Management System Operational Plan ensures that Richmond Hill outlines how we meet these standards.

For more information, read our Annual Water Quality Report.

Water system issues and emergencies

Richmond Hill's Public Works Operations Division is responsible for the operation of the sewage collection system. The system includes a network of sewer mains and six sewage lift stations. Durham Region and York Region sewage systems treat sanitary sewage.

Call Operations staff at 905-771-8800 (during regular business hours) and 905-884-8013 (after hours) in the event of emergencies like watermain breaks and sewer backups.

Learn about backflow prevention to avoid issues with your water system.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure is a common concern. Did you know there can be several issues associated with low water pressure in your house?

Please check the following before you initiate a service call:

1. Confirm that low pressure applies to all taps located within your property. If it is only one tap or section of your house, this indicates private plumbing issues and you may wish to contact a plumber. 

2. Inspect your main water shut off valve and confirm that it is fully opened. The main shut off valve is part of private plumbing system and is usually located in the basement before the water meter.

3. Ensure that aerators on your taps are not clogged. Remove the screens, rinse and put them back on.

4. If you own a water softener or water filtration system, confirm that it was serviced according to the manufacturer's specifications. Poorly maintained water softeners and water filtration systems are the most common reason for low water pressure calls. These units are equipped with by-pass valves, which once activated, will immediately restore the pressure.

If you have completed these steps and still have questions or concerns regarding low water pressure, please contact Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800.

Water usage

Richmond Hill promotes water conservation in the community. Restrictions on water usage, such as lawn watering restrictions, help conserve water and prepare for periods of water shortages.

Water meters keep track of a household's water usage. Richmond Hill's water meter replacement program involves upgrading meters in the community. Residents don't have to pay for the upgrade. The new meters use better technology to track water usage more effectively.

Where does Richmond Hill get its water?

Richmond Hill's water is taken from Lake Ontario and is treated by the City of Toronto and Peel Region. The water is then pumped to York Region and delivered to Richmond Hill. We monitor and test our water to make sure quality and safety standards are met.

Call York Region at 1-800-361-5653 if you have any concerns about the taste and odour of your water.