Water Use Restriction

May 14, 2008 To: All Water Customers within The Town of Fort Frances and Couchiching First Nation In May 2007 the Town of Fort Frances cleaned and inspected the Water Tower. From this inspection it was determined that the exterior and interior coating systems have deteriorated to the point where the entire coating systems must be replaced. Through a public tender process, on May 12, 2008 the Town of Fort Frances awarded the rehabilitation work of the Water Tower to Norwec Company of King City, Ontario. It will take 9 weeks to complete the rehabilitation work on the Water Tower. In order to complete this rehabilitation work the Water Tower must be completely disconnected from the Water Distribution System. As a result, the capability to store water for fire protection and to meet short term demands will be significantly reduced with the Water Tower out of service during this rehabilitation period. Under normal operating circumstances The Town of Fort Frances has the capacity to store 4500 m³ or 989,881 imperial gallons of water at the Water Tower and 4030 m³ or 886,493 imperial gallons at the Water Treatment Plant. Thus the total storage capacity within the water distribution system is 8530 m³ or 1,876,375 imperial gallons. With the Water Tower out of service the storage capacity will be reduced by 52.7%. WATER RESTRICTION In order to ensure there is always a constant supply of water for fire protection The Town of Fort Frances has imposed a water restriction on the non-essential use of water externally during the period the Water Tower is out of service. This restriction will be effective every day of the week during the rehabilitation of the Water Tower. From May 28, 2008 to July 30, 2008 all water customers will not be allowed to use water externally for the following activities; 1) Watering lawns and gardens 2) Filling swimming pools 3) Washing vehicles 4) Any other use of water that is not essential to public health and safety, personal hygiene or to sustain a commercial activity at the municipal address where water is used. AVAILABILITY OF WATER In order to have access to a supply of river water for the above mentioned non-essential use of water, the Town of Fort Frances will be setting up a water pumping system at the Sorting Gap Marina dock area for all water customers to fill tanks and containers. It is most crucial that all water customers within the communities of Fort Frances and Couchiching First Nation adhere to the water restriction during the period when the Water Tower is out of service to ensure there is a constant supply of water available for fire protection services. PENALTY The penalty for violating the restriction of water use during this rehabilitation period may result in a fine of up to $5000.00 The Town of Fort Frances understands there will be an inconvenience during the period the rehabilitation work is being conducted. However for the Health and Safety of our citizens, it is essential the Water Tower operates at its full capacity for the long term. The Town of Fort Frances thanks its water users in advance for your cooperation and patience during this Water Tower rehabilitation work.