Drinking Water Quality

Colour

Yellow water or brown scaling in water in New Tecumseth is a result of naturally occurring levels of iron found within the Town's groundwater supply.

The majority of yellow water inquiries are hot water related. When the treated water is heated in a hot water tank, the iron falls out of solution and builds up in the bottom of the tank. This is noticed more frequently in tanks with high water temperatures and relatively low water usage. Draining and flushing the hot water tank regularly may keep iron deposits from accumulating.

Taste and Odour

Sometimes the smell and taste of chlorine in the water can be a result of water sitting in household pipes for a prolonged period of time. This can be corrected by turning on several taps for a few minutes, allowing fresh water into the household plumbing system, and flushing any built-up organic matter (e.g., hair, soap, and food waste) that may have accumulated in the drains. If a smell is noticed from the hot water supply, the hot water tank may require draining and flushing.

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water is a result of air captured (also known as entrained air) in the water, which creates tiny bubbles. These bubbles are harmless and will disappear if you let the water sit for a few minutes.

Sodium Levels in Treated Water

Sodium is often found naturally in drinking water and has no smell or colour, however, it can make the water taste salty at certain levels. Sodium in drinking water is not a health concern for most people, but it may be an issue for people with specific underlying health concerns or those on a sodium-restricted diet.

According to the provincial standards for drinking water quality, the aesthetic objective for sodium is 200 mg/L. The Town of New Tecumseth is required to advise the local Medical Officer of Health (MOH) of any test results for sodium exceeding 20 mg/L. Please visit our Drinking Water Information page for current sodium levels.

Water Hardness

The concept of water "hardness" is used to refer to the ability of the water to make lather from soap. Water is said to be "hard" if it is difficult to make soap suds. The two minerals that are most responsible for hardness are calcium and magnesium carbonate. Water hardness can also result in scaling on pipes and appliances (e.g. hot water tanks, dishwashers).​ Please visit our Drinking Water Information page for current hardness levels.

The following table illustrates terms used to refer to relative water hardness and the corresponding range in chemical tests:

*Conversion factor from Hardness (mg/L) to Grains/Imp gallon: 0.07016​

The hardness of water is not known to have any specific health-related effects. 

Fluoride

Fluoride naturally occurs within the Town of New Tecumseth’s groundwater and is not manually added. Please visit our Drinking Water Information page for current fluoride levels.

According to the provincial standards for drinking water quality, the objective for fluoride is 1.5 mg/L. The Town of New Tecumseth is required to advise the local MOH and Spills Action Center (SAC) of any test results for fluoride exceeding 1.5 mg/L.

Home Treatment Devices

Some residents utilize point-of-use water treatment devices to filter their tap water prior to consumption, often with the goal of removing odors resulting from the disinfection process or natural impurities to enhance the aesthetic quality of the water. However, if these devices are not properly used or maintained, they may have a negative impact on the overall quality of the water. The treated water supply in the Town of New Tecumseth is tested continually, both at the source and throughout the distribution system. It consistently meets and exceeds all guidelines and provincial standards for drinking water quality.