Frequently Asked Question

There are several types of water treatment that you could find in your utility room.  There could be an inline filter housing, water softener, other point of entry devices or maybe a reverse osmosis drinking system.  Some of the things to look for to identify the equipment are:

• Model or serial numbers on the unit. These can reveal the manufacturer and sometimes the date of manufacture or installation, helping you determine the age of the equipment. The manufacturer may also be able to help you track down the original installer.
• Installation manuals, if left behind. These identify the manufacturer and provide key information on operation and troubleshooting.
• Installer stickers. Many water treatment professionals attach a sticker to the unit with their contact information, so you know exactly who to call for service.

Types of Water Treatment Equipment

• Inline Filter Housing: Inline filters are typically used to capture small particles and sediment in your water, or as a pre-treatment stage for another device. The filter cartridge inside needs to be replaced regularly to keep it effective and free of bacteria.

• Water Softener: A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium minerals that make water “hard,” protecting your appliances and pipes from scale buildup and reducing skin irritation. Because the softening process requires a salt-based regenerant, you’ll find a brine (salt) tank beside the unit that needs to be kept filled with salt at all times. Be careful not to overfill — excess salt weight can cause compression at the bottom of the tank, which can interfere with performance. Water softener salt is available at grocery stores, hardware stores, and large department stores. Other regular maintenance includes cleaning the control valve, replacing the resin bed in the cylinder, and periodically cleaning the salt tank.

• Scale Inhibitor Filter: Some homes have a single-tank filter containing special media that reduces scale buildup in pipes and appliances. This type of filter requires periodic media replacement.

• Point-of-Entry (POE) Devices: If you’re on well water, there may be several POE devices installed to treat your water, each addressing a specific issue. These need to be identified individually to determine the required maintenance. If you’re on municipal water and have a POE device, it’s most likely a whole-home carbon filter removing chlorine from the city’s disinfection process. Maintenance typically involves replacing the carbon media and servicing the control valve.

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Drinking Water System: If you have an RO system, it will typically connect to a dedicated faucet on your kitchen counter beside your main tap. RO systems are designed to improve the taste and clarity of your drinking and cooking water. Filter cartridges should be replaced annually, and the membrane needs to be replaced every 3–5 years, depending on your water quality.

• Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection: UV systems use ultraviolet light to neutralize bacteria and other microorganisms without chemicals. The UV bulb should be replaced annually — even if it still appears to be on, its effectiveness decreases over time. If you’ve moved into a home with an existing UV system, it’s worth having a water treatment professional verify that it’s working properly and that the incoming water quality meets the system’s requirements.

A certified water treatment professional can inspect each piece of equipment, test your water, and advise on any needed services.

Yes. All municipal water in Canada is regulated to ensure it is safe to drink. If there is ever a concern about your water supply, your municipality is required to issue a boil-water advisory and communicate the reason to residents.

If you’d like to know more about the specific quality of your local water, simply search “[your city] annual water report” — for example, “Brampton annual water report.” Every municipality publishes these reports, though the format and presentation will vary. They will tell you whether there have been any issues with your water supply and how your water quality measures up against Canadian drinking water guidelines.

Short answer:  Yes

This is important. Unlike municipal water, well water is not regulated or treated by a public utility. That means the responsibility for testing and maintaining your water quality falls entirely on you as the homeowner.

Well water can contain a range of issues, including bacterial contamination, drinking water contaminants, and aesthetic problems like staining and odours. The only way to know what’s in your water is to have it tested.

How to Get Your Well Water Tested

Most provinces offer free testing for bacterial contamination. Contact your local public health unit to find out what’s available in your area. Beyond bacteria, it’s also a good idea to test for other potential drinking water contaminants that may be present, depending on your location and geology.

Some CWQA member companies can test for aesthetic water quality issues right on-site. This is particularly valuable for certain water parameters that can change when exposed to oxygen, making lab results from a collected sample less reliable.

What Should You Test For?

A great starting point is the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, published by Health Canada. This resource outlines which contaminants to look for, what acceptable limits apply, and which treatment options may be appropriate.

You can find the guidelines here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/water-quality/drinking-water/canadian-drinking-water-guidelines.html

This is what’s known as point-of-use (POU) equipment. Unlike whole-home systems, point-of-use devices are installed at a single location. Typically, it is under the kitchen sink and serves only that tap.

The separate faucet on your counter is the dedicated outlet for the treated water, used for drinking and cooking.

Depending on what was installed, you could have one of the following:

• An inline filter, which reduces sediment and certain contaminants from your drinking water
• An ultrafiltration unit, which uses a membrane to remove fine particles, bacteria, and other impurities
• A reverse osmosis (RO) system, which provides a more advanced level of filtration, removing a wide range of dissolved contaminants to improve the taste and clarity of your water

Regardless of which system you have, point-of-use equipment should be serviced annually. Regular maintenance is essential to keep the system working properly and ensure your drinking water remains safe.

If you’re not sure what type of system you have or when it was last serviced, a CWQA member professional can identify the equipment and advise on what it needs.

Before you consider any equipment or any company, the very first step is to have your water tested. A reputable water treatment professional will either perform an in-home water test or recommend sending a sample to an independent, accredited laboratory. This tells you what is actually in your water and what, if anything, needs treatment.

If you are on city water, any treatment you add is purely an enhancement. Your municipal water is already safe to use, so there is no urgency and no pressure should be applied.

If you are on well water, a thorough test is essential. Understanding exactly what contaminants are present is the only way to determine what type of treatment is appropriate for your situation.

What to Look for in a Water Treatment Professional

Choosing a provider is ultimately a personal decision, but here are some important things to consider:

• How long have they been in business? Experience matters in this industry.
• Do they have a website with visible customer reviews? Transparent businesses stand behind their reputation.
• Does their website show the equipment they offer? You should be able to research what they’re selling before they arrive at your door.
• Are they selling certified products? Any drinking water device sold in Canada should be certified to CSA B483.1 or an equivalent standard.
• What are the credentials of the person selling and installing the equipment? Ask about their background, years of experience, and whether they hold any plumbing certifications.
• Are they a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA)? CWQA members are held to a Code of Ethics that governs how they select, sell, install, and service water treatment equipment. You can browse our list of certified members by province here: Certified Members  

Having your water tested gives you peace of mind that what you and your family are drinking is safe. It takes the guesswork out of the equation entirely.

For many households, a water test also removes the need to rely on bottled water. With the right information and properly selected water treatment equipment, you can have confidence in your tap water at a fraction of the long-term cost of buying bottled water.

For your water treatment professional, a test is just as important. Without knowing exactly what’s in your water, it’s impossible to recommend the right solution. A proper water test ensures that any equipment selected is matched to your actual water quality.

No, but in most cases, the equipment available from reputable companies will perform the same core function. The differences come down to build quality, features, certifications, and how well the equipment is matched to your specific water conditions.

Rather than getting caught up comparing brands and models, the more important decision is choosing a water treatment professional you trust. A knowledgeable, reputable professional will assess your water, understand your needs, and recommend the equipment that is best suited for your home. Not just the most expensive option or whatever they have in stock.

Water treatment equipment varies widely in size, type, and quality. And, the pricing reflects that. Beyond the equipment itself, what’s included in the price can differ significantly from one company to the next. Some providers include a service plan, others bundle in consumables like soaps or salt, and others provide the equipment alone with no extras.

There is no single right answer on price, but there are right ways to make the decision. Do your due diligence: ask your neighbours who they used and whether they were happy with the experience; read reviews; and ask any company you’re considering for their credentials and certifications.

No reputable water treatment professional should pressure you into a purchase. Keep in mind that different water problems require different solutions, which can naturally lead to cost differences. The goal is to find the right treatment for your water, from a company you trust, at a price that is fair and transparent.