Friday, January 23, 2026
A former drinking water distribution operator in Barrie, ON has been fined $5,000 for providing false and/or misleading information in weekly drinking water records.
Jordan Townes was convicted of four violations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, fined $5,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $1,250, and given 12 months to pay, according to a government of Ontario release.
The offences date from between May 12, 2023 and October. 4, 2023 and Townes was convicted on August 21, 2025.
The Corporation of the Town of Wasaga Beach owns the Wasaga Beach Drinking Water System, which is classified as a large municipal drinking water system serving approximately 24,862 people.
At the time of the offences Townes was employed with the Town of Wasaga Beach as a certified distribution operator and was responsible for routine operation and maintenance of the distribution system, including flushing hydrants, sampling chlorine residual concentrations, and producing accurate records of these activities.
Between May 12, 2023, and October 4, 2023, GPS records on the vehicle used by Mr. Townes showed that he recorded false information on Weekly Watermain Flushing Sheets submitted to the Town of Wasaga Beach by misrepresenting the amount of time he spent at each sampling location and the duration of time he spent flushing, the release said.
Flushing and sampling of water distribution systems ensures chlorine residual levels are maintained above levels necessary to inhibit growth of bacteria such as E. coli, the release said.
The Town of Wasaga Beach’s standard operating procedures require that one sample be taken a minute after flushing has begun and another sample after 10-15 minutes of flushing. Coupled with the time to set up, take, and record accurate samples, it takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete flushing at each hydrant.
The provincial ministry of the environment, conservation and parks environmental investigations and enforcement branch investigated and laid charges which resulted in the conviction.
