Lower Water Bills
The Plan
My plan is to reduce unnecessary consulting expenses, introduce new tools and technologies to handle more research and drafting work in-house, and reinvest those savings into properly staffing our water system.
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“It was expressed in all interviews that staff feel that there are not enough resources to continue to do all the jobs required.”
Staff & Leadership
Accountability for leadership
The Town’s 2025 Drinking Water Summary Report contains several positive findings that deserve recognition. Frontline staff who operate this highly complex treatment and distribution system deserve our gratitude. While I have been vocal in condemning the actions of the most senior officials leading our Town, that should in no way reflect poorly on the staff doing the hard work on a day-to-day basis.
With that said, the report also reveals serious organizational concerns that cannot be ignored. One of the most striking statements in the report appears under the internal audit findings, where it notes that staff feel under-resourced.
This represents a fundamental failure of leadership. When every employee interviewed expresses that they are overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the workload, responsibility ultimately rests with management and governance structures, not frontline workers. Safe drinking water systems depend not only on hardworking operators but also on leadership that ensures departments are properly staffed, supported, and equipped to succeed.
Download the 2025 Drinking Water Annual Report
Read the Town of Smiths Falls’ 2025 Drinking Water System Annual Report.
Download PDF
Water Loss
A major problem & a major opportunity
The report also highlights another major issue facing the Town: water loss. According to the Service Sustainability Review, approximately 38.9% of water in the system is classified as non-revenue water, including roughly 29.1% categorized as “unaccounted for.” The report classifies the Town’s leakage performance as poor and recommends intensified leak reduction efforts.
This should be viewed not only as a problem, but as a major opportunity for Smiths Falls. Identifying and repairing leaks within the water distribution system will reduce waste, generating savings that can be passed along to residents by lowering everyone’s water bills.
Consultants & In-House Capacity
Stop reaching for outside consultants by default
Smiths Falls also wastes enormous amounts of money on consultants. As someone who watches every council meeting and reads every report, it often feels like the Town’s go-to response to every issue is to hire a consultant, and then issue a media release taking credit for taking action in the form of hiring a consultant.
Finding and fixing leaks faster, strengthening operations, and reducing unnecessary consulting costs are practical steps toward lower water bills for Smiths Falls residents.
Clean water and fair bills go hand in hand. With honest budgeting and smarter spending, Smiths Falls can protect its water and ease the pressure on every household.
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