Enniskillen Township

Drainage

Early settlers of Lambton County avoided Enniskillen Township as it was a forested swamp.  They settled in drier more accessible areas of the County.  Settlers were so scarce that in Enniskillen only 2,450 acres were occupied in 1846.  The settled areas were almost all located in naturally drained areas along Bear Creek or Black Creek or along the northern township line.

Beginning in 1871, and continuing for the next two decades, Enniskillen Council passed by-laws that made provisions for the cutting of ditches.  The councils of that day launched an extensive network of drainage projects where previous areas of swamp land existed, and would now enable agricultural settlement.

There are a very large number of municipal drains located within the municipality.  The municipality designates a “Drainage Superintendent” to ensure that work is completed on the various drainage projects approved by the municipal Council.  The drainage superintendent ensures that all administrative duties are carried out as required under the Drainage Act.

For questions, concerning drainage in your area or on your property, please contact the municipal office for assistance.

Please note:  In 2011, Ray Dobbin has been obtained on a contract basis to provide, drainage/engineering services for the municipality.  Ray no longer works out of the municipal office, to contact Ray please call: R.Dobbin Engineering at 519-882-0032 or cell phone 519-331-9532, also by email contact dobbineng@xcelco.on.ca.  R.Dobbin Engineering office is located at 4218 Oil Heritage Road, Petrolia, Ontario.  N0N 1R0.

Tile Loan

The municipality provides the opportunity for landowners to apply for tile loan assistance under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs tile loan program.  Under this program, the landowner may opt to have the tile loan payable on the municipal tax bill.  For further information, please contact the municipal office.

Road Infrastructure

The Enniskillen Township road system is comprised of gravel, high float and asphalt surfaced roads.  The County of Lambton maintains Lambton County Road No. 80, known as Courtright Line (formerly known as Provincial Highway 80) the two lane roadway runs across the center of the municipality east to west and serves as a major roadway to the St. Clair River and Chemical Valley.

Lambton County Road No. 21, is Oil Heritage Road (formerly known as Provincial Highway 21) the two lane roadway provides traffic through the center of the municipality and runs north and south, this highway connects the municipality to Provincial Highway 402, which is a major four lane roadway allowing direct access to trucks hauling goods and services to international/provincial/local destinations.  Another link to Provincial Highway 402 is that of County Road 26, Mandaumin Road which is the roadway that runs directly south to north and serves as the municipalities most westerly boundary/townline road.

Road Inventory

Gravel Roads- 118.19 kms

Asphalt Roads- 58.67 kms

High Float- 62.08 kms

Clay- 19.17 kms

Sewer/Water Services

The municipality operates a water distribution system that provides potable water.  The municipality maintains its own water distribution system along with a water reservoir north of the Village of Oil Springs. The municipality operates a pumping station in the Township of Brooke/Alvinston on LaSalle Line.   The watermain system branches out to neighbouring municipalities of St Clair, Sarnia, Plympton/Wyoming, Dawn/Euphemia and Brooke/Alvinston.  Water purchased from the Town of Petrolia is sold to the Village of Oil Springs and to the Township of Dawn/Euphemia.  The municipality meters all water sold to individuals and municipalities.

The hamlet of Oil City is serviced by a sanitary sewage system, with the sewage lagoon located to the west of the hamlet. The remainder of the residents in the municipality use private septic systems.

Applications for a new sewer connection or a private septic system, can be obtained by contacting the County of Lambton.

Sewer Rates Oil City

Oil City: New dwelling unit                 $500.00 connection rate plus all installation costs

Oil City: Existing dwelling unit         $  20.00 per month

The rate  for Oil City sewer system is collected on the municipal water bill.  The water bill is sent out three times a year, the water bill is due at the end of February, June and October.

Water Rates

Application Fees for Water

Meter Cost:

¾ inch        $140.00
1 inch          $255.00
1 ½ inch     price charged at cost
2 inch          price charged at cost

Water Rates: (effective September 15, 2013)

Flat rate based on usage plus administration fee incorporated

Key Lock /Reservoir Usage Fee

$3.48/cubic meter
$25.00 refundable key deposit
$100.00 non-refundable fee

The water bill is sent out three times a year, the water bill is due at the end of February, June and October.

Oil City Sewer Rate: $20.00 per month (added to the water bill)

Payment of Water Bills

The public may either visit the township office to make payment of their water bill, or  leave it in a drop off  box in the mail slot located at the front door of the office.  Interac debit is available at the office or internet banking  services from your home computor.