Ontario Water Quality Facts and Drinking Water Problems

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 Listowel, and how to fix them

Listowel water is sourced from three local wells, with each drawing water from an aquifer. Although Listowel is covered by the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, and the water is held to high standards, you may notice your water isn’t as clean, clear, and filtered as you may like. That’s because Listowel’s water must be disinfected before it can make its way to your faucets, which may explain why your water sometimes tastes and smells like chlorine. In addition, groundwater typically picks up naturally occurring minerals, which can increase the hardness of your water, causing a host of issues for you and your home.

Hard, Poor-Quality Water

Hard water is one of the most common water problems Culligan treats. It’s caused when water makes it way through the ground, on its way to your tap, picking up naturally occurring minerals, like iron, along the way. Some of the most common symptoms of hard water include:

• Itchy skin, or dull and dry hair
• White, chalky calcium deposits on faucets and sinks
• Clothes that feel starchy or look dull

Spotty, Cloudy Glassware

• Shorten the lifespan of your appliances
• Leave behind a tough-to-clean film
• Create white, chalky mineral deposits around faucets and taps

Soap Scum or Residue

Whether it’s the ring around the tub, built-up residue on the sink, or the film on your shower walls, you know soap scum when you see it. Unfortunately, it’s caused by hard water, and it’s tough to clean, too.

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.