Notices:
If you have no water or have not received communication that Toronto Water is conducting repairs in your neighbourhood, visit the No Water map to see if your location or address is shown.
- If you have experienced a sudden loss of water pressure and multiple taps in your home or building are affected, you can submit a service request online at https://www.toronto.ca/311 . Toronto Water staff will arrive within 24 hours.
- If you live in a residential property and have been experiencing ongoing water pressure issues for an extended period of time, you can schedule an appointment online at https://www.toronto.ca/311
Appointments are available between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday (appointments are not available during weekends and holidays), and take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- Multi-residential, industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) property owners, managers, superintendents and contractors, if the pressure issues are affecting the entire building (every tap/floor/or unit), call 311.
- If only a portion of the building is affected, please contact a plumber.
Flow tests
All flow tests must be conducted using a special flow metering device which is inserted where the water service enters the building at the location of the water meter. There is no charge for a flow test.
A sound plumbing system is required to ensure that any water service hammering that takes place during the test, does not cause a leak. Old lead or galvanized plumbing before the water meter is problematic and susceptible to leaks when water line hammering occurs. The City does not accept liability for water line hammer damage and any leakage as a result of a flow test. The property owner must replace the service line with copper before City staff can perform a flow test.
What to expect during a service call:
Step 1:
- Staff will ensure that all water shut-off valves are completely open.
- If the valves are open, the City will conduct a low water pressure test. This can only be done if your plumbing is in good working order.
- Tests will not be conducted on pipes that are made of lead or galvanized steel. Should your pipes be made of this material, you will be advised to contact a plumber and the service request will be closed.
- If the issue persists once the pipes are fixed, you will need to submit a new service request.
Step 2:
- If the water supply valves are open and the pipes in your home are in good condition, the City will conduct a low water pressure test.
- This involves removing the water meter and attaching a device that will measure the flow of water into your home. The device will be connected to a hose that will drain to a nearby toilet, sink or drain.
- Once the device and hose are connected, the City will run water through the test device.
- Water pressure equal to or more than 7 L/min is considered acceptable. No further steps will be taken.
- Water pressure less than 7 L/min is below the acceptable limit. The water service pipe will be deemed a priority and will be replaced in approximately seven days.
Determining if water pipes are lead
If you are a resident of a multi-residential property, you must contact your Property Management Office about this issue.
The City of Toronto website has information on reasons why you may be experiencing no water or low pressure.
Residential properties
- The City will only take action to resolve water pressure issues if it is determined that your water pressure is equal to or less than 7 litres per minute measured at the meter (this is below the minimum acceptable flow for a single-family residential property.
- If the results of the test indicate that the water service is transmitting a flow of less than 7 litres/minute, then the water service will be deemed a priority and will be replaced in approximately 7 days.
- You must meet the requirements as set out above.
If you do not have a water meter, please contact the Meter Office.
