Ontario has great tap water – here are some ways to enjoy it and help the environment.
- Choose tap water whenever you can. Going to the tap is an environmentally friendly and economical choice.
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. You can find a business or public place that allows you to refill your container for free through the Blue W program.
- Bring green practices related to drinking water into your workplace and encourage your colleagues to adopt them.
- Storms drains are for rain. Keep our drinking water sources clean by not dumping paint, oil and other waste down storm drains.
- If there is a private well on your property, test it at least three times a year to keep your well water safe. Always test water after major plumbing work, heavy rainfall or a flood
- Musty or earthy smells in tap water sometimes increase in the warm weather of summer. The musty or earthy smell is typically caused by natural, organic compounds in dying vegetation and is not harmful. Leaving a pitcher of tap water in your fridge or using a certified water filter device will reduce musty flavours.
- Contaminants can build up in water treatment devices like filters if they are not properly maintained. Replace and maintain your filter routinely so it stays effective.
- Be wary of water filter scams where door-to-door salespeople offer a free water test, then deliver the grim news your tap water is unsafe. Ontario’s safety net system for water protection ensures our municipal drinking water is reliable and safe.
