Check an issue with your water

Find out what to do if your tap water is discoloured or has low pressure. If the problem continues, report it to the city.

Check advisories or subscribe to service alerts to get updates on water issues in your neighbourhood.

On this page:

  1. Clear discoloured water
  2. Fix low water pressure
  3. Check boil water advisories
  4. Learn about water quality
  5. Report a drinking water issue

Clear discoloured water

Occasionally, discoloured water may come from your tap.

This can happen due to:

  • minerals in groundwater
  • older pipes or watermains
  • maintenance work, flushing or watermain breaks
  • issues with water softeners or hot water tanks

To clear discoloured water:

  • don’t drink discoloured water
  • run a cold water tap for a few minutes until it runs clear
  • if it still discoloured after 5 minutes, wait 1 hour and try again

If the problem continues, report it to the city.

Fix low water pressure

If you have low or no water pressure, start with your water softener:

  • compare a soft-water tap to a hard-water tap
  • put the softener on bypass
  • contact a plumber if the issue continues

Then check your plumbing:

  • check if the issue affects all taps or only some
  • if the issue only affects some, clean faucet aerators and remove debris
  • if only hot water is affected, contact your water heater provider or a plumber
  • make sure your main water valve, where water enters your home, is fully open

Check the service alerts page for known issues such as watermain breaks or city maintenance.

If the problem continues, or you suspect a watermain break, report it to the city.


If City Utilities are dispatched and the problem is caused by internal plumbing, the property owner may be charged for the visit.

Check boil water advisories

There are currently no active boil water advisories in Waterloo. 

Check the service alerts page for instructions if a boil water advisory is issued.

Learn about water quality

Learn how we monitor and protect drinking water:

Subscribe to service alerts for water quality updates.

Report a drinking water issue

Report online

Use the online form Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Include:

  • location and brief description
  • when the issue started
  • photos, if you can

Report a drinking water issue

Call us after hours

Call 519-886-2310 after 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

Call us anytime for urgent issues – city crews respond 24/7.