A Barrie court has convicted a former drinking water distribution operator of four violations under Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act for providing false and misleading information in weekly drinking water records related to the Wasaga Beach Drinking Water System, which serves some 24,862 people.
An investigation found that between May and October 2023, GPS data from the vehicle used by former operator Jordan M. Townes showed inconsistencies between his recorded activities and the time actually spent at sampling locations. His duties included flushing hydrants, sampling chlorine residual concentrations, and producing accurate records of those activities.
The vehicle’s GPS records demonstrated that false information had been entered on weekly watermain flushing sheets submitted to the Town of Wasaga Beach, including misrepresentations of both flushing duration and time spent sampling, according to a court bulletin.
Due to chlorine residual levels fluctuating as water is used across the distribution system, accurate readings can only be obtained when an operator is physically present at the sampling location at the time recorded. The Town of Wasaga Beach’s standard operating procedures require one chlorine sample to be taken one minute after flushing begins, followed by a second sample after 10 to 15 minutes of flushing. Including the time needed to set up, take, and properly document samples, the process typically takes between 20 and 25 minutes per hydrant.
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The offences occurred on various dates between May 12, 2023, and October 4, 2023. Townes was convicted on August 21, 2025, and fined $5,000, along with a $1,250 victim fine surcharge. He was given 12 months to pay the total amount.
At the time of the offences, Townes was employed by the municipality as a certified distribution operator responsible for routine operation and maintenance of the distribution system. Regular flushing and sampling of water distribution systems is critical to ensuring chlorine residual levels remain high enough to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli. Accurate record-keeping of chlorine residual readings and sampling times enables the municipality to confirm that secondary disinfection is maintained throughout the system and to respond appropriately to any potential adverse water quality issues.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch conducted the investigation and laid the charges that led to the conviction.
