Public Works 

The Public Works Department oversees municipal and public services including:

Township Roads
At present, the Public Works Department maintain 250 kms (155 miles) of Township roads comprised of 90 kms of gravel and 160 kms of hard surfaced roads.  There are also 21 kms of unopened road allowances within our Township.  This department strives to provide, to our residents and visitors, a safe and efficient means of travel on our road system.

The Township's Public Works staff, operating from the Garage which is located at the intersection of County Roads 21 and 56, consists of: 

• 1 Roads Foreman
• 9 full time Operators
• 1 seasonal employee

Equipment includes:  

Within the municipality, there are six county roads, County Road 10, 15, 21, 27, 56, and 90.  Calls concerning road conditions on any of these County Roads should be directed to the County of Simcoe at 726-9300, Ext. 250.

The Township is bordered to the south by Provincial Highway 89 which is maintained both summer and winter by TWD Roads Management Inc.  Any difficulties experienced on this highway should be addressed to TWD Roads Management Inc. at 705-458-0509.

Levels of Service

Business Hours
(Administration Centre)
During normal working hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Calls concerning road conditions should be directed to the Manager of Public Works.

Regular Business Hours
(Public Works Department)
Hours of operation for the Roads staff, January through April, and September through December are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Summer Business Hours
(Public Works Department)
During the peak construction period (May through August) the Roads Department staff work from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Winter Operations 
From approximately mid-November through Mid-April, a one-person patrol  is on duty from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to provide road condition inspections plus spot sanding/plowing.  Call-out of additional personnel if required, is the responsibility of the Night Patrol.  In accordance with the "Level of Service" standards adopted by Council, the Township Roads Department does not provide plowing and/or sanding services between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. unless it is considered an extreme emergency or critical situation.

For more information on the Winter Operations Levels of Service please see the links below:

Winter Operations - Level of Service - Patrol
Winter Operations - Level of Service - Snow Plowing
Winter Operations - Level of Service - Winter Sanding
Winter Operations - Quality Standards - Sidewalks

Winter Parking
From November 1st to May 1st parking is not allowed on streets or highways between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in order that snow plowing operations are not interrupted.  
Illegally parked cars may be ticketed and/or towed away.

Permits

1. Entrance Permits
Entrance Permits are required for all access points (driveway, farm entrance / laneway, etc.) to private property from a Municipal road.  Applications to construct an entrance are available at the Administration Centre.  Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

For entrance permits on: 
County Roads contact the County of Simcoe at:
(705) 726-9300, Ext.250

Highway No. 89 contact  Ministry of Transportation at: 
(519) 376-7350, respectively.

2. Heavy Load Permits
Moving and Heavy Load Permits are available at the Administration Centre and are required for moving heavy or oversized loads on municipal roads.  Contact the Manager of Public Works for more information. Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

3. Road Occupancy
Road Occupancy Applications are required should a property owner wish to install enclosed drains in roadside ditches, or connect to the municipal water and sanitary sewer trunk lines on those streets where these systems have been installed. Applications are available at the Administration Centre.  Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

Load Restrictions
Load restrictions (vehicle weights not to exceed 5 tonnes per axle) are in effect on Township roads from March 1st to May 15th, as per By-law No. 94-32

Street Lights
The Township provides street lights on most urban streets in Angus, Thornton, Baxter, and others in rural subdivisions.  Reports of burnt-out lights or malfunctioning lights should be directed to the Executive Assistant to the CAO. 

Sidewalks
Every effort is made by the Municipality to provide the best winter maintenance of sidewalks given the resources available and weather conditions.  

Waste and Recycling Collection
The County of Simcoe Waste Management Department is responsible for garbage and recycling collection.  
For all inquiries please contact them directly at 735-6901 or 1-800-263-3199.  

To receive a copy of the Curbside please contact Simcoe County Customer Service or to view online please click here. 
For locations of outlets throughout Simcoe County  that sell additional garbage bag tags for residents click here.  

Voucher Program
All Essa residents are eligible to receive two free tipping vouchers annually.  Vouchers may be obtained, with proof of residency, at the Administration Centre or the Economic Development Office.  No replacements will be issued for lost or stolen vouchers.  Only one load/vehicle per voucher may be brought to the landfill site at any one time.

Landfill Locations

Blue Boxes
Recycling Blue Boxes are available at the Administration Centre (upper level) and at the Economic Development Centre.  New residents to the Township are entitled to one box free of charge. Additional boxes or replacements are available for $5.00.

Municipal Water & Sewers
The Township's Water and Sewer systems are operated under contract by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA).  Any concerns or difficulties experienced with municipal water/sewers should be addressed to OCWA., at 1-866-775-7712, during normal business hours.  If a response is not received from OCWA during normal business hours, please contact the Executive Assistant to the CAO.

If you require assistance after hours or in an emergency, please contact OCWA at 1-800-461-9675.

Sanitary Sewer Information & Tips  
Potential Causes of Sanitary Sewer Lateral Blockages
The DO'S AND DO NOT'S for sanitary sewer operations

Service Locates
Requests for locates for watermain and sewer laterals should be directed to the OCWA at 1-866-775-7712.

Water Use
All Municipal water users are advised that the following lawn/garden watering restrictions are in place from June 1 to September 1 of each year. 

• Odd numbered houses may water on odd days  from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Even numbered houses may water on even days from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: NO WATERING PERMITTED ON MONDAYS
This By-law will be strictly enforced and offenders will be fined.