Where Richmond Hill water comes from
- Most of Richmond Hill now receives treated Lake Ontario water delivered through York Region's system. Historically, parts of the town, particularly in the north, drew more on groundwater wells, which tend to be harder. The blend has shifted over time as the regional system expanded.
- York Region publishes annual drinking water reports that list hardness and other measures. Checking the current report for your area is the best starting point before buying any treatment equipment.
What hardness does
- Hard water carries calcium and magnesium in solution. Heat it, and those minerals drop out as scale. In a water heater, scale settles at the bottom of the tank and insulates the water from the burner, which wastes gas and causes rumbling. In tankless heaters, scale coats the heat exchanger and lowers efficiency.
- At fixtures, scale clogs aerators and shower heads, stiffens faucet cartridges and leaves white crust. Soap lathers less and leaves a film.
Quick checklist
- Check the region water report
- Look for scale
- Test hardness
- Consider a softener
- Clean aerators
Softeners
- A softener swaps the hardness minerals for sodium or potassium ions. It is plumbed into the main after the meter, with a bypass and a drain for regeneration. We often leave an unsoftened cold line to the kitchen for drinking and cooking, and route outdoor taps before the softener.
- Softeners need salt refills and an occasional brine tank clean. Set correctly, they protect water heaters and fixtures.
Smaller fixes
- If hardness is moderate and bothers you only in a few places, soaking aerators and shower heads in vinegar, using a rinse aid in the dishwasher and flushing the water heater yearly may be enough.
- Tankless heaters should have service valves so they can be descaled regularly whatever you decide about softening.
Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.
Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.