Water Treatment FAQ

General Water Quality Questions:

What is hard water and how do I know if I have it?

Hard water contains elevated levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium — minerals picked up as groundwater filters through limestone and other mineral-rich rock. In Ontario, hard water is the norm rather than the exception.

Signs you have hard water include white chalky scale buildup on taps, showerheads, and around the kettle; spotty dishes from the dishwasher; dry skin and hair after showering; soap and shampoo that seem to disappear faster than they should; stiff laundry; and appliances that needed early repair or replacement.

The only way to know your exact hardness level is to test your water. We offer free in-home water testing across Barrie and Simcoe County — we test on the spot and show you your results immediately.

Is hard water dangerous to drink?

No. Hard water is safe to drink. Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals and are not harmful to human health at the levels found in Ontario water. Some research even suggests a modest health benefit from dietary minerals in drinking water.

The problem with hard water is not safety — it's what it does to your home, your appliances, your plumbing, and your comfort every single day. Scale buildup, shortened appliance lifespans, dry skin, excess soap use, and higher energy costs are the real consequences of untreated hard water.

What's the difference between hard water and contaminated water?

Hard water has elevated mineral content — calcium and magnesium — which cause household problems but are not health hazards. Contaminated water contains substances that are actually dangerous to human health — bacteria, E. coli, arsenic, lead, nitrates, PFAS chemicals, uranium, and others.

You can have hard water that is perfectly safe to drink. You can also have soft water that is contaminated. They are completely separate issues requiring separate solutions. This is why a comprehensive water test covers both mineral content and safety parameters.

What should I test my water for

For city water homes, a standard test covers hardness, TDS (total dissolved solids), pH, chlorine, and iron.

For well water homes, a comprehensive test should cover hardness, iron, manganese, pH, TDS, bacteria (E. coli and coliform), sulphur, and turbidity — at minimum. Depending on your location in Simcoe County, testing for arsenic, uranium, nitrates, and tannins is also strongly recommended.

We conduct free in-home water testing for all of these parameters across our service area.

Can water quality change over time?

Yes — significantly. Municipal water quality can shift with seasonal source changes, treatment adjustments, and infrastructure aging. Well water quality can change due to shifting water tables, nearby agricultural activity, changes in land use, well casing deterioration, and seasonal contamination events like spring snowmelt.

This is why annual bacteria testing is recommended for all well water homes, and why a full panel test every 2–3 years is good practice regardless of your water source.

My water looks and tastes fine. Does it still need treatment?

Possibly yes — and this is one of the most important points we make to homeowners.

Many of the most concerning water issues have no taste, smell, or colour. Arsenic, uranium, nitrates, E. coli, lead, and most bacteria are completely invisible and tasteless in water. Hard water often has no obvious taste. The absence of visible or taste-based symptoms does not mean your water is problem-free.

The only way to know is to test it.

Water Softener Questions

What is a water softener and how does it work?

A water softener is a whole-home treatment system that removes hardness minerals — calcium and magnesium — from your water supply before it reaches any tap or appliance. It connects directly to your main water line, typically in your utility room or basement.

The softening process uses ion exchange. Inside the mineral tank are millions of tiny resin beads that attract calcium and magnesium ions from the water, releasing sodium ions in return. The water that exits the tank has its hardness removed — it's soft. When the resin beads become saturated, the system automatically regenerates using a salt solution that washes the minerals to drain and recharges the beads. This is why your softener needs salt — not to soften the water directly, but to regenerate the resin.

Will a water softener fix all my water problems?

A water softener fixes hard water problems specifically — scale buildup, dry skin, soap inefficiency, spotted dishes, and shortened appliance life. It does not fix other water problems.

A softener does not remove chlorine, bacteria, viruses, iron at high levels, sulphur, tannins, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, or most heavy metals. If your water has any of these issues — which is common in Simcoe County well water — you need additional treatment systems alongside the softener. A water test tells us exactly what combination your home requires.

Won't I lose healthy minerals by softening my water?

This is the most common concern we hear — and it's understandable. Here's the honest answer.

You get the vast majority of your calcium and magnesium from food — dairy, leafy vegetables, nuts, grains — not from water. One glass of milk contains more calcium than 10 gallons of hard water. One serving of almonds has more magnesium than 20 gallons of hard water. The contribution of drinking water to your daily mineral intake is minimal.

Meanwhile, those same minerals in your water are causing real, measurable problems — costing you money on soap, cleaning products, and energy, and shortening the life of your appliances. Removing them from your water supply costs you essentially nothing nutritionally while saving you significantly financially.

Is softened water safe for people with high blood pressure?

Softened water contains slightly more sodium than unsoftened water — the amount depends on the hardness of your source water. For most people this addition is insignificant. A litre of softened water from moderately hard source water typically contains less sodium than a single slice of bread.

For people on strict medically-supervised sodium-restricted diets, the added sodium in softened water may be a consideration worth discussing with your doctor. In those cases, we recommend installing a separate unsoftened drinking tap, or — better — an under-sink reverse osmosis system, which removes the added sodium along with all other dissolved minerals from your drinking water.

How much salt does a water softener use?

It depends on your water hardness, household size, and system efficiency. A well-programmed mid-range softener in a typical Barrie home might use one 20kg bag of salt per month. Higher hardness levels and larger households use more.

Modern high-efficiency softeners use significantly less salt than older units by regenerating only when needed rather than on a fixed schedule. If you have an older softener that seems to use excessive salt, it may need reprogramming or the resin may need replacement.

How long does a water softener last?

A quality water softener, properly installed, sized correctly, and maintained with regular salt and occasional servicing, should last 15–20 years. The mineral and brine tanks — which we back with lifetime warranties on our premium systems — virtually never fail. The control valve is the component most likely to need attention over time.

The biggest factors that shorten softener lifespan are undersizing (system works too hard), iron fouling of the resin (preventable with proper pre-treatment), and neglected maintenance.

Can I install a water softener myself?

Technically possible for experienced DIYers comfortable with basic plumbing. However, we don't recommend it for most homeowners, for several reasons.

Incorrect sizing — the most common DIY mistake — results in a system that either runs constantly (too small) or wastes salt through unnecessary regeneration (too large). Improper bypass valve installation can create water hammer or pressure problems. Programming errors result in a system that doesn't regenerate correctly. And many manufacturers require professional installation to maintain warranty coverage.

Professional installation ensures your system is correctly sized, properly connected, and accurately programmed for your specific water conditions from day one.

My neighbour has a water softener. Can I just get the same one?

Not necessarily. Your neighbour's water hardness, household size, and water usage may be completely different from yours — and softeners are sized to those specific factors. A system that works perfectly for a 2-person household with 10 gpg hardness will be undersized for a 5-person household with 18 gpg hardness. We test and size every system individually.

Reverse Osmosis & Drinking Water Questions

What does a reverse osmosis system actually remove?

A properly functioning RO system removes 95–99% of dissolved contaminants including lead, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, chromium-6, PFAS (forever chemicals), mercury, cadmium, barium, chlorine and chloramines, dissolved solids, pharmaceuticals, and most bacteria and viruses.

What an RO system does not remove: dissolved gases (like radon and hydrogen sulphide — these require specific pre-treatment), and some pesticides at very low concentrations (though most are removed effectively).

Is RO water better than bottled water?

In most cases, yes. A properly maintained RO system produces water that meets or exceeds the purity of most bottled water brands — and unlike bottled water, you know exactly what treatment your water has received. Bottled water is largely unregulated in Canada compared to municipal water standards.

Additional advantages of RO over bottled water: no plastic waste, no delivery cost, available on demand, and the ongoing cost is roughly $0.02–$0.05 per litre versus $1–$3 per litre for bottled water.

Will an RO system remove the added sodium from my water softener?

Yes — completely. Reverse osmosis removes sodium along with virtually all other dissolved minerals. An RO system installed downstream of a water softener produces water with essentially zero sodium content. This is the ideal setup for households where someone is on a sodium-restricted diet.

How often do RO filters need to be replaced?

Pre-filters (sediment and carbon): every 6–12 months depending on your water quality and usage.

RO membrane: every 3–5 years under normal conditions. The membrane lasts longer in homes with a water softener upstream (which reduces the mineral load on the membrane significantly).

Post-carbon polishing filter: every 12 months.

We offer maintenance plans that track your filter replacement schedule and handle the service for you.

Can an RO system be connected to my refrigerator?

Yes — most modern under-sink RO systems can be connected to your refrigerator's ice maker and water dispenser with a standard kit. This gives you RO-quality water and ice from your fridge. We install this connection as part of standard RO installation when requested.

My RO system produces water slowly. Is that normal?

RO systems produce water relatively slowly — typically 50–75 litres per day — but store it in a small tank under your sink so pure water is available on demand. If your system seems slower than usual, it may indicate a partially blocked membrane, low water pressure, or a filter due for replacement.

UV Disinfection & Well Water Safety Questions

Do I really need UV disinfection if I'm on a well?

We strongly recommend it for any home on a private well in Ontario. Here's why.

Private wells have no municipal treatment of any kind. Bacteria, E. coli, coliform, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can enter a well through cracked casings, surface water infiltration during heavy rain or snowmelt, or other pathways — and none of them have any taste, smell, or colour. You cannot detect them without testing.

UV disinfection provides continuous, automatic, chemical-free protection against all biological contaminants. Once installed it requires nothing more than an annual bulb change. The cost of protection is far lower than the cost of a single illness.

What's the difference between UV disinfection and water filtration?

UV disinfection destroys biological contaminants — bacteria, viruses, Giardia, Cryptosporidium — by disrupting their DNA with ultraviolet light. It does not remove hardness, iron, sediment, chemicals, or dissolved minerals.

Water filtration physically removes or chemically neutralizes contaminants — iron, sediment, tannins, arsenic, etc. Most filters do not effectively kill bacteria or viruses.

UV and filtration are complementary technologies. A complete well water treatment system typically uses both — filtration to remove physical and chemical contaminants, UV to eliminate biological ones.

My well water tested negative for bacteria last year. Do I still need UV?

A clean bacteria test last year tells you your well was clean at that specific moment. It doesn't guarantee it's clean today. Water tables shift, well casings age, and contamination events — particularly spring snowmelt — can introduce bacteria into a previously clean well.

UV disinfection provides continuous protection regardless of what happens to your well from season to season. It's insurance — the cost of the system is far lower than the cost of a contamination event.

Does UV affect the taste or smell of my water?

No. UV disinfection adds nothing to your water and removes nothing except the ability of microorganisms to reproduce. Water passes through the UV chamber, gets disinfected, and exits unchanged in taste, smell, colour, pH, or mineral content. It's completely transparent to the senses.

How often does a UV system need maintenance?

Once a year — the UV lamp needs to be replaced regardless of whether it's still illuminated. UV lamps degrade in germicidal effectiveness before they stop producing visible light. An annual lamp change (a quick, tool-free process) keeps the system performing at full effectiveness. The quartz sleeve protecting the lamp should be cleaned at the same time.

Our systems include an annual timer that alerts you when the lamp is due for replacement so you're never left unprotected without knowing it.

Should I test my well for bacteria every year even if I have a UV system?

Yes. Annual testing confirms your UV system is functioning correctly and that no issues exist upstream of the system. It also catches any changes in other parameters — iron, hardness, pH — that can affect the performance of your treatment equipment. Testing is inexpensive and takes 15 minutes. It's worth it.

Iron, Sulphur & Filtration Questions

My toilet bowl is orange. What's causing it and what's the fix?

Orange or rust-coloured staining in toilets, sinks, tubs, and around drains is caused by iron in your water — extremely common in well water throughout Simcoe County and Barrie's groundwater zones.

The fix depends on the type of iron present. Dissolved iron (ferrous) requires a different treatment than particulate iron (ferric) or bacterial iron. Using the wrong system for your iron type does nothing. We test for iron type and concentration and recommend accordingly. See our iron filtration systems →

My hot water smells like rotten eggs. What is that?

Hydrogen sulphide gas — produced by sulphur bacteria in your groundwater. It's more noticeable from the hot tap because heat releases the gas. Common throughout rural Simcoe County and Georgian Bay area wells.

Not a direct health hazard at typical concentrations, but it makes water unpleasant and indicates sulphur bacteria activity. Treatment ranges from carbon filtration at low concentrations to a dedicated chemical-free iron/sulphur/manganese filter at higher levels.

My water is yellowish or tea-coloured. What causes that?

Yellow or tea-coloured water is typically caused by tannins — natural organic compounds from decaying vegetation that leach into groundwater in areas near forests, wetlands, and lakes. Common in cottage country and rural Simcoe County properties.

Not a health hazard, but visually unappealing and interfering with other treatment systems. A dedicated tannin filter removes it completely.

I've heard there's arsenic in some Ontario well water. Should I be concerned?

Yes — arsenic in private well water is a real issue in parts of Ontario, including areas within Simcoe County and the Georgian Bay region where granite bedrock geology is present. Long-term exposure to arsenic above Health Canada's guideline of 0.010 mg/L is associated with serious health effects.

Arsenic has no taste, no smell, and no colour — you cannot detect it without a test. If you're on a private well and have never tested for arsenic, we recommend doing so. If elevated arsenic is found, we install certified filtration systems that reduce it to safe levels.

What is the difference between a whole-home filter and an under-sink filter?

A whole-home filter (point of entry) installs on your main water line and treats all the water that enters your home — every tap, appliance, shower, and washing machine receives filtered water. Appropriate for contaminants that affect the whole house — iron, sulphur, sediment, tannins, chlorine.

An under-sink filter (point of use) treats water at a single tap — usually the kitchen sink — for drinking and cooking. Appropriate for producing high-quality drinking water without treating the entire home supply. Reverse osmosis systems are the most common point-of-use filter.

Many homes benefit from both — a whole-home system for iron and sediment, and an under-sink RO for pure drinking water.

Pricing & Installation Questions

How much does a water softener cost in Ontario?

Water softener installation in Ontario typically ranges depending on your home's size, water hardness level, and system capacity required.

We never quote without testing your water first — because sizing a softener correctly to your actual water conditions is what determines whether it performs.

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We offer flexible payment options to make water treatment accessible for every budget. Ask us about financing when we visit for your free water test.

How long does installation take?

A standard water softener installation takes 2–4 hours. A complete multi-stage system (softener + iron filter + UV + RO) typically takes 4–8 hours depending on complexity. We handle all connections, programming, and cleanup. You come home to better water.

Do you need to turn off my water for the installation?

Yes — briefly, to make the necessary plumbing connections. We minimize the time your water is off and restore full service before we leave. We'll let you know in advance how long to expect the interruption.

Is there any mess or damage to my home during installation?

A professional installation should leave your home in better condition than we found it — clean, tidy, and with no unnecessary holes, leaks, or disruption. We've been doing this for 30 years. We treat your home like our own.

What warranty comes with your systems?

Warranties vary by system. Our premium softener lines include a 12-year control valve warranty and a lifetime warranty on mineral and brine tanks. RO systems and UV units carry 3-year system warranties with replaceable consumable components. We explain every warranty in detail before you commit to anything.

Service & Maintenance Questions

Do you service water softeners you didn't install?

Yes. We service, repair, and maintain all makes and models of water softeners and filtration systems across Barrie and Simcoe County — including Kinetico, EcoWater, Culligan, GE, Pentair, Clack, and others. If your existing system isn't performing, call us before buying new — a repair may be all you need.

My water has gone hard again even though I have a softener. What's wrong?

Several things can cause a softener to stop working effectively. Common causes include depleted salt (the most common reason), a salt bridge (a hardened crust forming over the salt that prevents it from dissolving properly), a stuck or failed control valve, iron fouling of the resin beads, or resin that has degraded after many years of use.

Call us at 705-828-5285 — we diagnose softener problems across our service area and can usually identify the issue quickly.

How often should I add salt to my softener?

It depends on your water hardness and household usage, but a rough guideline is to check the salt level monthly and refill when it falls below the halfway point in the brine tank. Never let the tank run completely empty — operating a softener with no salt allows hard water to pass through untreated and can cause the resin to require cleaning.

What kind of salt should I use?

We recommend high-purity evaporated salt pellets or solar salt for most softeners — they dissolve cleanly and leave minimal residue in the brine tank. Rock salt is cheaper but contains impurities that can accumulate as sediment. Potassium chloride is an alternative to sodium salt for those wishing to reduce sodium in their water — it works but is significantly more expensive.

Do you offer maintenance plans?

Yes. We offer maintenance plans covering annual inspections, salt restocking, filter replacements, and system checks across our service area. A maintenance plan means you never have to think about your water treatment system — we track everything and reach out when service is due.

Barrie & Simcoe County Specific Questions

How hard is the water in Barrie?

Barrie's water ranges from 3–8 grains per gallon in surface water zones (Kempenfelt Bay) to 13–20 grains per gallon in groundwater zones (municipal wells). Both are classified as hard to very hard. The City of Barrie does not soften its water as part of municipal treatment — that is the homeowner's responsibility.

Does Barrie have well water or city water?

Most Barrie residents within the city limits receive municipal treated water — either from Kempenfelt Bay (surface water) or from municipal groundwater wells, depending on which zone they're in. Rural properties outside the municipal boundary — and many homes in surrounding townships like Springwater and Oro-Medonte — are on private wells.

Is well water in Simcoe County safe to drink?

It can be — but it requires testing and often treatment to be consistently safe. Simcoe County well water commonly contains elevated hardness, iron, and sometimes bacteria, arsenic, and other contaminants. None of these have obvious taste or smell. Annual bacteria testing is the minimum standard, and a full panel test every 2–3 years is strongly recommended.

Do you serve rural areas outside Barrie?

Yes. We serve all of Simcoe County and York Region including Innisfil, Orillia, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland, Penetanguishene, Alliston, Angus, New Tecumseth, Bradford, Newmarket, Aurora, King City, and all surrounding rural areas. If you're unsure whether we cover your area, call 705-828-5285 and ask. We almost certainly do.

What's the difference between Barrie's north end and south end water?

The distinction is actually between groundwater zones and surface water zones rather than strictly north and south — though they roughly correlate geographically. The City of Barrie's interactive Water Supply Zones map at barrie.ca shows exactly which source supplies your address. Groundwater zones (13–20 gpg) generally require a higher-capacity softener than surface water zones (3–8 gpg).

I just bought a new home in Bradford. Do I need a water softener?

Almost certainly yes. Bradford West Gwillimbury's water supply comes from groundwater sources that produce consistently hard water. In new builds, hard water damage to plumbing and appliances starts from day one — there's no grace period. Installing a softener early protects your new home's fixtures and appliances from the beginning.

Do you work with cottages and seasonal properties in Simcoe County?

Yes — cottage and seasonal property water treatment is a significant part of what we do. We install UV systems, softeners, and complete well water treatment packages at seasonal properties throughout Simcoe County and the Georgian Bay area, and offer pre-season startup visits and system recommissioning after winter closure.

Still Have a Question?

If we haven't answered yours here, call us directly. We give straight answers — no scripts, no pressure.

📞 705-828-5285
📧 info@purewaterservices.ca

Free in-home water test available across Barrie, Simcoe County, and York Region. Evening and weekend appointments available