Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We want to address any questions or concerns you have about water treatment or services. See our FAQs below for quick answers to common questions or contact us for further information.

Water Treatment FAQ

Taste, Health, Environmental and Long Term Cost Savings.

Hard (mineral) water is beneficial to humans, plants, and animals. However it is harmful to plumbing and appliances because excessive hardness minerals can cause scale build-up, eventually blocking pipes and affecting the performance of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.

The specific minerals which turn the water hard are calcium and magnesium. When the quantity of these minerals exceeds some level, your water will be converted into hard water. You could easily know if there is hardness in the water, and that is if you find white spots or patches on glassware and utensils, or find your clothes fading its colors easily. These are the quick signs of knowing if the water is hard.

To completely remove hard water, minerals, magnesium, calcium, and chlorine coming into your home, or business you need to install a water softener. This will filter your water so the minerals are removed before it gets to your showers, ice maker, faucets, dishwasher, washing machine and/or other industrial and commercial equipment. A water softener will make it so the water does not leave hard water spots or calcium build anymore. It will leave your skin soft after a shower too!

A typical sign of iron tainted water is the reddish or brownish staining found in your toilet bowl or on the rim of your sink basin. Iron can occur in what is called a “ferrous” state. When you pull the water from the tap, it appears clear. However, once it touches air, it can become oxidized (or ferric). This causes the water to turn reddish or brownish due to rust forming in the water. To counter this reaction, an iron filter can be used to filter out the iron particles.

  • Iron Filters offer better tasting water with no iron impurities or metallic taste.
  • Clear water with no red or brown hue.
  • Safer drinking water with no chemical filtering process
  • No more stains on your toilet bowls, sink basins, laundry machines.
  • Preserves you softening system by preventing unwanted iron buildup.

The impurities in your water have a certain size, measured in microns. Most household filters may not be able to remove contaminants of a certain size. Many dissolved contaminants are hard to see, smell or taste. There could also be various toxic chemicals such as arsenic, lead, sulfur, mercury and chromium 6 in your water. Or a number of bacteria and microscopic spores that are invisible to the eye. All of these could cause serious harm to your health.

An RO relies on the Reverse Osmosis technique to separate impurities that have a micron size larger than that of a water molecule, through a filter membrane.


That way, all you get is pure, fresh water in the end. Together with a UV filter, a number of parasites and viruses can also be removed to a great extent.


The reverse osmosis method is an efficient and comprehensive means of eliminating more than 90% of potentially harmful contaminants.

Ultraviolet light exists at the invisible, violet end of the light spectrum. Although we can’t see UV light, we are exposed to a small amount every time we walk out into the sun.  Special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength are used to disinfect water. UV rays work by penetrating into bacteria and viruses, destroying their ability to function and reproduce. Simple but effective, these systems can destroy 99.99 per cent of harmful micro-organisms. It is done without adding chemicals or changing your water’s taste or odour.

Studies show that metabolic acidosis is associated with many degenerative diseases, can accelerate aging, and cause weight gain.

Discover how alkaline water helps neutralize damaging acids. Alkaline water is used to maintain a healthy pH Balance and can help with:

  • Healthy Part of Weight Loss
  • Natural Detoxification
  • Powerful Hydration

Wells & Pumps FAQ

Check the circuit breaker for the well pump to determine if adequate power is available to run the pump. Check pressure gauge at tank to see if there’s pressure at the tank. Check to see if there’s water at the boiler drain (faucet) at tank. If you have water here, you may have a restriction in the plumbing distribution system (e.g. water filtration equipment).

Most modern well pumps are located in the well and when replacement is necessary, a mobile crane is used, if possible.

Access to the well with a truck-mounted crane facilitates the replacement of the pump when necessary.

The average life span of a submersible pump is considered to be 10-15 years.

Low pressure / loss of water can be caused by anything from water-saver faucets to a mechanical problem with the pumping system to a well going dry. It is uncommon/unlikely that your well is actually going dry.

The cause of water loss or pressure loss in most cases is a mechanical or electrical problem. In general, ground water supplies in this area are plentiful.

Try to determine that the leak is, in fact, at the tank, and not from another source such as other plumbing fixtures or a leaky basement wall. If the tank is leaking, it should be replaced as soon as possible. If the leak is severe, the pump can be shut off electrically, and the tank drained to minimize consequential damage from the leakage. (The tank will need to be replaced immediately in order to regain water.)
Some styles of pressure tanks need periodic air charges to prevent “waterlogging”. Other types of tanks have a permanent air charge, and some tanks are air charged from the well. It is sometimes difficult for a homeowner to know which type of tank they have. A qualified pump installer can usually determine this by a description over the phone.
The most common cause of a pump running too often WHEN YOU’RE USING WATER, is a waterlogged pressure tank. If your pump short cycles WHEN YOU’RE NOT USING WATER, you likely have a leak, either in the plumbing in the house, or a leak outside, down the well, or underground.
Yes, since 1990 the Ontario Water Resources Act Regulation 903 requires a vermin proof seal to be on all new wells. When properly installed, these seals prevent insects and other debris from entering your well. They are a very good idea and highly recommended.
Since the mid 1950’s, the majority of well pump installations involve a traditional, submersible pump in the well with a relatively large pressure tank in the basement. This type of system cycles between a low pressure (40 psi) and a high pressure (60 psi). As the water pressure drops with use, the system utilizes the pressure tank to meet demand until the pump senses that the system has reached its start up pressure. This cycling process is repeated frequently throughout the day as water is used. During the 1990’s, variable speed motor technology began to be adapted for use with well pumps. The result was constant pressure systems, which utilized varying motor speed to provide water instead of tank reservoir. This technology has evolved greatly over the years and constant pressure systems are becoming more common. The main advantage is they provide a more constant, “city-water-like” pressure to the home. They are desirable for large homes and/or homes that have in ground sprinkler systems and multiple high-flow fixtures.
Ontario Public Health recommends that private wells be tested annually for coliform and E-coli bacteria to ensure continued safe drinking water. Your water should also be tested if you notice a change in the taste or odor. Numerous other contaminants can be tested for, however, coliform and E-Coli bacteria are the most common.
Depending on the degree of contamination, there are various levels of chlorination’s that can be done to attempt to eliminate the bacteria. These procedures range from simply introducing chlorine tablets in the well, recirculating, a “mass” chlorination, or a combination of heavily chlorinating along with recirculating and running the pump over the top.
The Water Doctor recommends that if an owner is to chlorinate their own well that they recognize that chlorine is a highly corrosive substance which, if improperly introduced into the well, can cause serious and costly damage to the well system, as well as being a potentially dangerous procedure. We recommend that homeowners have the well professionally chlorinated the first time in order to become familiar with the proper procedure.
Cleaning Hands in Sink
Boy Drinking Water
Getting Water from Tap
Baby taking bath in sink

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