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 Orangeville, and how to fix them

Orangeville’s water supply comes from a total of 12 wells. Three of the wells are considered safe from contamination from surface water, while the others are not. To ensure the safety of its residents, Orangeville has installed filtration systems, and requires two separate stages of disinfection. While the heavily treated water is considered very safe to drink, you may notice your water tastes and smells slightly chlorinated. Even if you don’t have “off” odours or tastes in your water, you may notice your water’s “hardness,” which is a common complaint with groundwater.

Hard, Poor-Quality Water

Think your home may have hard water? Based on your location alone, you may be right. Your local Culligan Water Expert can provide a free in-home water test to be sure, but here are a few common hard water symptoms you can spot right away:

• Slow-flowing faucets or showerheads
• Chalky mineral deposits around faucets and sinks
• Inefficient appliances or rising utility bills
• Scratchy, stiff laundry
• Dry, itchy skin and dull hair

Spotty, Cloudy Glassware

• Makes appliances less efficient
• Leaves behind a tough-to-clean film
• Creates mineral deposits and buildup

Soap Scum or Residue

Soap scum is caused when the minerals in hard water combine with the soaps, shampoos, and detergents you use every day. The result often comes in the form of a ring around the bathtub or a sudsy film on the shower wall. Although soap scum can be eliminated with cleaning products, it can also be a persistent problem that will keep coming back, as long as you have hard water.

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.