(SEO): A major water main break has triggered a Collingwood boil water advisory affecting the entire town. Here’s what’s happening, what to avoid, and how to stay safe.
COLLINGWOOD, ON — Saturday, December 13, 2025 — Collingwood residents and businesses are waking up to a weekend of disruption after a major water main break led the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) to issue a boil water advisory for the entire Town of Collingwood . Municipal crews and contractors are working to repair the break and stabilize service, but officials say the advisory will remain in place until laboratory testing confirms the drinking water is safe . [1]
The break has the potential to affect water pressure town-wide, with the Town warning some customers may experience low or no water pressure and urging everyone to reduce water usage immediately to help conserve supply. [2]
What we know right now
Here are the key facts Collingwood residents should keep in mind on December 13:
- Boil water advisory is in effect for all of Collingwood. The SMDHU issued the advisory on December 12 following the reported major water main break, and it remains in place “until further notice,” pending lab confirmation of safety. [3]
- The break is near Pretty River Parkway and Hume Street , where repair crews are actively working. The Town has asked people to avoid the area. [4]
- Water pressure may be reduced. Residents could see low pressure or no pressure at times, depending on location and system conditions. [5]
- Restaurants, bars, and other food service operations in the impacted area (except those selling only pre-packaged food) must close for the duration of the advisory , according to the health unit release published by Barrie 360. [6]
- Even after repairs are complete, the Town says lifting the advisory is not immediate: it must take multiple water samples for lab testing, and the process could take approximately five days . [7]
What caused the Collingwood boil water advisory?
According to the SMDHU release, the boil water advisory was issued after a major water main break led to concern that drinking water could be unsafe. Water main breaks and related drops in pressure can create conditions where contamination becomes a risk, which is why health units may require boiling water until safety is verified. [8]
The Town of Collingwood says its crews were dispatched and are working to resolve the break as quickly as possible, while the Mayor’s office confirms the Town’s emergency management team has been agreed and is coordinating with staff and external partners. [9]
Which areas are affected?
Collingwood: The advisory applies to the entire Town of Collingwood , per the health unit release and Town communications. [10]
The Blue Mountains: The Town of The Blue Mountains says its water system has not been impacted by the Collingwood water main break and boil water order/advisory. Blue Mountains water operators also took steps to stop the flow of drinking water from Collingwood into The Blue Mountains’ system as soon as they were notified. [11]
Notably, The Blue Mountains also stated that properties that are “regularly fed through the Collingwood water system,” including Scandinave Spa and Crestview Court , are currently receiving full service from The Blue Mountains’ water system. [12]
Collingwood boil water advisory: what residents should do
SMDHU guidance and the health unit’s advisory instructions are clear: do not consume tap water unless it has been boiled (or replaced with bottled/commercially treated water).
Use boiled or bottled water for
During the boil water advisory, use boiled, commercially treated, or bottled water for essentials such as:
- drinking and making beverages
- brushing teeth or rinsing teeth
- preparing and washing food (including fruits and vegetables)
- making ice
- preparing infant formula
- washing dishes (with sanitation steps)
- providing drinking water for pets [13]
How to boil water properly
The health unit instructions recommend bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute , then letting it cool and storing it in a clean, covered container. [14]
Dishwashing: don’t skip sanitizing
The SMDHU release includes specific dishwashing advice: wash and rinse dishes, then sanitize in a separate sink using a small amount of bleach mixed into clear water. (Always follow bleach label directions and keep the solution out of reach of children.) [15]
Bathing, showering, and laundry
The health unit guidance indicates that adults, teens, and older children can use unboiled tap water for baths and showers , but should avoid swallowing any water. For small children, the advisory recommends sponge baths to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Laundry can continue, but residents are still being asked to reduce water usage to conserve supply during the disruption. [16]
Business impacts: restaurants and some food services must close
One of the most immediate ripple effects on December 13 is economic: the SMDHU advisory states that restaurants, bars, and other food service operations in the impacted area must close during the boil water advisory, except for facilities selling pre-packaged food . [17]
With Collingwood in peak four-season mode—even in mid-December—this kind of closure can affect not just local dining rooms, but also tourism, takeout routines, and the many workers who rely on weekend shifts. Residents should check directly with businesses for reopening plans once the advisory is lifted.
Why officials say it could last about five days
Many people hear “repairs underway” and assume the moment the pipe is fixed, the water is safe again. But public health processes add additional steps.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin’s statement explains that after repairs are completed, the Town must take multiple water samples . Those samples are tested for bacteria and other harmful organisms , and the boil water advisory is lifted only once results meet all health standards—a process the Town estimates may take approximately five days . [18]
The health unit’s general guidance also notes that advisories are lifted when laboratory tests confirm the water is safe , and that this can take several days depending on the corrective actions required. [19]
Bottled water pickup: what to expect today
In a notice posted the evening of December 12, the Town said it was working to establish water bottle pickup locations for residents who may not be able to boil water, adding that an update on pickup details and the status of the water main break would be provided before noon on December 13 . [20]
If you’re looking for bottled water support today, the Town’s guidance suggests monitoring official updates closely (Town website and social channels) as arrangements are finalized.
If you drink the water and feel sick
SMDHU’s safe-water information outlines common symptoms that can occur from contaminated water exposure, including stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea , and advises contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms develop. [21]
Anyone who feels seriously ill should seek medical attention promptly.
What to do once the advisory is lifted
When the boil water advisory eventually ends, there’s typically a “return to normal” checklist. The health unit’s guidance for municipal systems includes actions like running cold water taps for several minutes, disposing of ice made during the advisory, and flushing appliances connected to water lines. [22]
Those steps help clear any potentially affected water from household plumbing and equipment—especially important for refrigerators with water dispensers, ice makers, and other connected devices.
Where to watch for official updates
As of December 13, officials emphasize that the situation is active and evolving. The Town says it will share updates on its website and social media channels as more information becomes available, and direct residents to Service Collingwood for assistance. [23]
For public health guidance, SMDHU’s boil water advisory instructions and safe-water resources remain the central reference point for what is safe to do—and what should wait—until the advisory is lifted.
References
1. barrie360.com, 2. www.collingwood.ca, 3. barrie360.com, 4. www.collingwood.ca, 5. www.collingwood.ca, 6. barrie360.com, 7. www.collingwood.ca, 8. barrie360.com, 9. www.collingwood.ca, 10. barrie360.com, 11. www.thebluemountains.ca, 12. www.thebluemountains.ca, 13. barrie360.com, 14. www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, 15. barrie360.com, 16. barrie360.com, 17. barrie360.com, 18. www.collingwood.ca, 19. www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, 20. www.collingwood.ca, 21. www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, 22. www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, 23. www.collingwood.ca
