Ontario Water Quality Facts and Drinking Water Problems

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The most populous province, Ontario shoulders the largest provincial water sourcing and distribution burden in the country. Bordering four of the Great Lakes, these massive bodies of water supply 80% of Ontarians with drinking water. The province relies not only on lakes but also on Ontario’s many rivers and its proximity to Hudson and James bays to provide water for regional mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

With much of Ontario’s water serving many purposes, the likelihood of contamination and water quality issues can be high. As a result, the province has struggled with a history of moderate groundwater pollution as a result of municipal waste, industry runoff, and fertilizer contaminants. While many of these concerns have been addressed, it’s still common for residents’ tap water to be hard or of generally poor quality. In some areas, water supplies may be impacted by dissolved solids and metal content, which can leave stains behind and cause slight discolouration. In addition to mitigating factors affecting Ontario’s water resources, it’s estimated roughly 140,000 residents across about 42 rural communities don’t have municipal water systems — they rely on independent (sometimes unregulated) or well water systems for use in their homes and businesses.

Your local Ontario Culligan Water Expert is an expert on your water, can test it to determine any problems, and provide the best way to address them.

Common water issues in Simcoe, and how to fix them

Simcoe, Ontario gets its water from nine wells. Having well water means you get locally sourced water, right from the ground. However, pulling water straight from the ground also means that it must be treated heavily, which explains why your water may taste or smell chlorinated. Groundwater also has a high likelihood of being classified as “hard water,” meaning it contains extremely high amounts of naturally occurring minerals that can create problems for you and your house.

Hard, Poor-Quality Water

Hard water happens when naturally occurring minerals — such as calcium — make their way into water as it travels to your faucet. You may have lived with hard water your entire life without realizing it. But once you know what to look for, it can be easy to observe hard water’s effects in and around your home. Some hard water symptoms include:

Dull or dry skin, nails, and hair
Scratchy-feeling or faded-looking laundry
Water that has mineral-like flavours or odours

Lime Buildup or White Scale

Have you ever noticed white, chalky mineral buildup around your faucets, on showerheads, or inside the bottom of the teakettle? That’s limescale buildup, and it happens when hard water is present. In addition to being hard to clean and an eyesore, limescale buildup can:

Decrease the efficiency of your appliances
Reduce the flow of water through your faucets
Increase utility bills, with appliances working harder or longer

Spots on Glasses

Another frustration that comes with hard water includes finding spots on your glasses and dishware. Because hard water leaves behind mineral deposits, your dishes come out of the dishwasher with hard water residue, which your dishwasher may not be able to prevent or eliminate.

Ready for Better Water?

Schedule an appointment now for your free in-home water test or phone consultation. Your local Culligan water expert will help you find the best solution for getting cleaner, safer water in your home