Water
Thunder Bay is situated on the shore of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake. The name of our city comes from the immense bay at the head of the lake. With so much water at our doorstep, it can be hard to believe there is a need to conserve. The truth is that less than one per cent of water is replenished annually through the water cycle. 75 per cent of the Earth is covered in water, but about 97 per cent of that is too salty for humans, most animals and plants to use. Another two per cent of the water on Earth is trapped in the form of glacial ice at the North and South Poles.
What's left for us? Only one per cent of all the water on the planet is available to support life, and 25 per cent of that is contained in the lakes and rivers of Canada. The residential sector is the fastest growing sector of water users across Canada. In fact, on a worldwide basis, Canadians are second only to Americans in the amount of water used in our homes. 
In Thunder Bay, we have world-class drinking water and wastewater systems. We are working hard to promote the wise use of water through our various retrofit incentives and conservation programs. We strive to protect our water supply while providing high-quality water to residents and businesses through Source Water Protection planning and prudent management.
Thunder Bay's Water Quality Report
Our 2010 Annual Report to consumers is required by Ontario's new Drinking Water Protection Regulation. Water quality is reported annually in compliance with Ontario Regulation 170/03 under the Safe Drinking Water Act 2002 that took effect on June 1, 2003.
This year's report focuses on our customers. The report describes the City's water supply operations and provides information about drinking water quality, how the water is treated and delivered, source water protection and wise water use. View Water Quality Reports.
The Environment Division Water Authority has been formally awarded an accreditation by the Canadian Standards Board. The accreditation was awarded based on the audit of the City of Thunder Bay Operational Plan for Thunder Bay's drinking water system.
| Quality Management Policy | |
| Accreditation Certificate |
The Operational Plan may be viewed at Sewer and Water South, 410 Mountdale Avenue, Sewer and Water North, and at the Bare Point Water Treatment Plant.
City of Thunder Bay Sewer & Water Rates
Water Authorities in Ontario have been mandated by Provincial legislation to develop new financial plans that provide adequate resources for the provision of safe drinking water today and for the future. Our new water rate structure, effective April 1, 2011, better reflects the fixed costs of operating and maintaining the water system and has been designed to be equitable, easier to understand and to benefit customers who conserve.
CITY OF Thunder Bay WATER AUTHORITY FINANCIAL PLAN
In 2007, the Ministry of the Environment released Regulation 453/07 requiring all municipalities to complete a Financial Plan for their drinking water system. The City of Thunder Bay Water Authority Financial Plan (see below) has been developed to achieve financial viability; limit overall water costs and remain affordable; provide safe drinking water in the short and long term; enable the long-term plan for capital renewal to be realized; achieve full cost recovery over the long term; and maintain current service levels.
View the City of Thunder Bay Water Authority Financial Plan 
Adobe PDF, 34 pages, 777 KB
For more information on Drinking Water Systems and how drinking water is protected visit the Province of Ontario's Ministry of the Environment Drinking Water website.
For general inquiries or to report a problem call our dispatchers at 625-2195.
City of Thunder Bay
Environment Division
| Address: | Victoriaville Civic Centre 111 Syndicate Avenue S PO Box 800 Thunder Bay ON P7C 5K4 |
| Tel: | (807) 625-2836 |
| Manager: |
Kerri Marshall |
| Tel: |
(807) 625-2836 |
| Fax: | (807) 625-3588 |
| E-mail: | kmarshall@thunderbay.ca |
