We aim to provide a safe drinking water supply that meets the requirements of legislation. We take many measures to ensure water is tested regularly and homeowners have the information they need about their drinking water.
If you have concerns about unusual taste, odour or colour in your municipal drinking water it could be due to repairs, construction, flushing, open fire hydrants or maintenance work in your area. These can cause rust and scale products that normally adhere to the inside of the watermain to break away. This can cause water to appear dirty and stain your laundry but it is still safe. If this happens to you, let a cold tap run for 5 to 10 minutes until the water clears. If the issue remains, contact the Water Division.
Water testing
Samples from all municipal wells including treated and raw water are collected for bacteriological analysis once a week. However, some areas within our towns and villages are not serviced by the municipal system. The Water Division can only address issues with municipal wells and infrastructure.
We conduct inorganic and organic testing quarterly, including all parameters required by the Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS).
Distribution system samples are collected once a week by Water Division staff at approximately 50 locations. Chlorine levels are measured at the time of sample collection. The samples are analyzed for:
- Total Coliform
- Escherichia Coli
- Background Count on Total Coliform
Chlorine and Fluoride in Drinking Water
To ensure your water is protected from harmful bacteria and microorganisms, safe levels of disinfectant (chlorine) are added to the water distribution system.
Disinfecting with chlorine kills germs and provides critical protection. Chlorine will naturally disappear from your water within a few hours, after it runs from the tap. If you prefer not drink water with chlorine in it, you can put an open container of tap water in your refrigerator overnight.
We also add fluoride in the Paris drinking water system. Hydrofluosilicic acid is precisely metered into the water to raise the natural fluoride concentration to about 0.5 to 0.8 ppm (parts per million). This helps prevent tooth decay.
Broken Water Pipes and Low Water Pressure
If you have an internal problem like a broken water pipe on your property or in your home/building, you can use your main shut-off valve, usually located in the basement, to turn off the water. If you are unable to turn it off, you should contact the Water Division to shut water off at the curb. It is your responsibility as the property owner to repair the inside shut-off valve.
Heavy water use in your area can cause temporary low water pressure in your home. This could be caused by lawn watering, a water main break or a fire hydrant in use. You could also experience permanent low water pressure because of your home's location (on a hill or far from the pumping station), undersized pipes or pipes with a lot of scale in them. Report a permanent drop in water pressure to the Water Division.
If your water comes from a private well you should direct questions and issues to:
Brant County Health Unit
194 Terrace Hill Street
Brantford, ON N3R 1G7
T: 519.753.4937
Visit the Brant County Health Unit website
More details about where your drinking water comes from are included in our annual reports.
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