Hard Water in Durham Region Explained
Lake Ontario water supplied in Durham is moderately hard. That means some scale on fixtures and inside heaters, but it is safe to drink.
- Step-by-step, written from real jobs
- Tools to have ready and safe stopping points
- Where to stop and hand it to a licensed plumber
- Licensed plumbing trade
- Camera before digging
- Written job notes
- Phone-only booking
Summary card
Lake Ontario water supplied in Durham is moderately hard. That means some scale on fixtures and inside heaters, but it is safe to drink.
Hardness is measured in milligrams per litre or grains per gallon. Moderately hard water leaves scale but is safe.
The procedure
- Check the Region of Durham water quality reports for hardness figures
- Test well water separately if you are on a private well
- Clean aerators and shower heads with vinegar
- Flush tank heaters to reduce sediment
- Consider a softener if scale is causing damage
Tools to have at hand
- Hardness test strips
- Vinegar for descaling
Do it in this order
- 01
Test water hardness with a strip at the kitchen tap
- 02
Look for white crust on aerators and showerheads
- 03
Soak aerators in vinegar to dissolve scale
- 04
Flush the water heater to clear sediment
- 05
Consider a softener if scale keeps returning
Durham Region publishes water quality reports for the municipal system. Check the latest hardness figure for your area.
Whitby Plumbing, from the job
Stop and phone a plumber if
- Scale is clogging fixtures quickly
- Water heater is rumbling
- You want a softener installed
Notes for Whitby
North Whitby wells can be much harder than municipal water. A simple test gives you a number to size equipment.
When the desk should take over
Ring the desk if scale is affecting a tankless heater or causing frequent fixture failures.