Is FER-PAL Working in Your Neighborhood?

Have a question? Please see below.

This rehabilitation process will result in improved water quality. This method is fast and less disruptive than complete replacement of the distribution network.

First, a temporary water system is installed along the curb lines of the area to be cleaned and lined. This bypass system will provide water for the approximately four to six-week period that the system is shut down. Water from the temporary water system is tested to ensure safety.

Access Pits – The pipe to be cleaned and lined is accessed by pits approximately four feet by eight feet at various locations.

Cleaning Pipe – The pipe is cleaned and prepared for the lining process.

Lining – The interior wall of the pipe is lined with the cement mortar. New valves and hydrants may be installed as required.

Disinfect & Reinstate Main – The line is then filled, sanitized, flushed, tested and put back in service, the bypass system is removed.

Restoration Work – The restoration of the Access Pit locations is completed as soon as possible.

All jobs and job sites are different. It is difficult to estimate how long a job will take to complete. Residents are usually on our temporary water supply for approximately four to six weeks.

Yes. Every effort is made to keep the disruption to a homeowner to a minimum. However, an access pit may be required that may prevent the use of your driveway.

At times, you may find that your tap water appears cloudy. This is not a health concern. It is usually caused by dissolved air which is released in the form of fine bubbles when cold water becomes warmer. These are the bubbles that give water its cloudy appearance.

While you are connected to the temporary water system, the water may be warmer because the pipes are lying on the surface of the ground. During the day, the consumption of water is reduced allowing the water to warm. We suggest you run a tap for a few minutes to allow the water to circulate.

No it will not. Water volume may increase but local pressure will remain constant. Most residents experience a greater volume while they are connected to our temporary water supply as a result of the size of the hose connected to your outside tap. Once this hose is removed, normal water volume will resume. The only way to permanently increase water volume is to increase the size of the water service pipe that runs from the water main to your home. Installing a new water service is not a service that FER-PAL supplies.

No it is not. During the time that you are connected to our temporary water supply, you are not being charged for water consumption.

This noise may be caused by water coming into the house from the garden tap and running out through the water meter. Please call our office to advise us of this situation. It may be necessary to simply turn your water meter valve to the off position, minimizing the sound of running water.

Because the temporary water main is laying on the surface, the water being supplied by customers will be warmer than usual. This is similar to leaving a garden hose on the ground in the sun. To combat this, small quantities of water are left running from the system to keep the water supply cool. Keeping the water cool also reduces the demand for disinfection.

Yes. During the rehabilitation process residents and commercial establishments will be notified (via hand-delivered letters), of the time and date(s) of when the water will be shut off for lining purposes and hydrant and valve repairs/replacements as per contract requirement. It is necessary when lining the pipe to shut off the water supply to eliminate any leaking water from escaping back in through your service into the pipe which will disturb the cement mortar from setting.

The shut-off notices will be left in your mailbox or taped to your front door. If you should have tenants, please ensure you relay the information.

Yes. Weather conditions must be severe or unforeseen mechanical difficulties arise in order to cancel a scheduled shut-off. If a situation requires us to reschedule a shut-off, residents and commercial establishments will be re-notified (via hand-delivered letter), of the rescheduled time and date(s) of the water shut off.

In view of these temporary shut-offs, please ensure that any plumbing, heating/cooling systems or other devices (water softeners) incorporated into the water supply in your house will not be affected by the temporary shut-offs. It is highly recommended that these systems be disconnected during the construction process.

Yes. A suitable adapter fitting will be provided to allow for continued use of the garden tap for exterior purposes (car washing, lawn-watering, etc.) Please remember to follow the Water Regulation By-law which regulates and restricts the date and time in which lawns and gardens can be watered.

Please remember to turn the valve to the open position so the water can enter your home. When the narrow portion of the valve is in line with the hose, it is open. When it is turned 90 degrees to the hose, it is closed.

Water shut-off usually occurs from 8 a.m. through to 6 p.m. We recommend that you maintain an adequate supply of water based on your individual requirements. We suggest you fill buckets, pots, pans and bathtubs.

Yes. The tank in the back of toilet must be three quarters full in order for the toilet to flush. Reserve a supply of water by filling your bathtub. Simply use a bucket to replenish the toilet’s reserve tank after each flush.

If you are experiencing no water, please review the following checklist: • Ensure that your garden tap is fully opened to allow water into the home from the temporary water supply;

  • If you have an adapter connected to your garden tap, please ensure the valve allowing the water into your home is fully opened;
  • Please ensure there is nothing on the hose (e.g. parked car) that would cause the water to be blocked.
  • Does your neighbour have water? You may want to check to see if the problem is isolated to your house or service.

If you still do not have any water, please call 416-742-3713.

Unscheduled water shut offs may also occur as the result of a break in the temporary water supply. This is usually the result of large trucks (such as garbage trucks) driving over the above ground pipes. When this occurs, the situation is addressed immediately, requiring the shut-down of the temporary supply to repair the break. Unfortunately, in order to use all resources effectively to keep the disruption to a minimum, it is impossible to notify the residents for this type of shut off. The water is usually reinstated within 30 minutes of the break occurring.

If the temperature falls below zero, in order to prevent the temporary water supply from freezing, slightly open a tap to allow a steady light flow. Please be cautious of flooding. It is extremely important to ensure there is nothing blocking the drain in the sink/tub.

Approximately three to six weeks after we have completed work in your area, we will return to complete restorations. We will replace topsoil, sod and asphalt where excavations have occurred. Areas where there was concrete (curb, sidewalks), may be repaired temporarily with asphalt depending on contract specifications. These excavations will be repaired by other forces under contract to the municipality.

Once fresh sod has been placed in the front of your home, it is strongly recommended that the sod is watered at reasonable intervals until such time that the grass is rooted.

Still need more info? Contact us.