Water treatment questions, answered

Toronto's tap water averaged 119 mg/L hardness (as calcium carbonate) in 2025, according to the City of Toronto. That is about 7 grains per gallon, which is moderately hard. It is enough to leave scale on kettles, shower heads and fixtures over time. More on the Toronto water page.

These are the figures each municipality publishes. Divide mg/L by 17.1 to get grains per gallon.

Municipal water in Ontario is treated and tested under the province's drinking water standards. Most people add treatment for taste, smell, hardness and scale, or because they're on a private well, which homeowners are responsible for testing themselves. Read is tap water safe to drink in Ontario?

Divide mg/L by 17.1. For example, 119 mg/L is about 7.0 grains per gallon.

A softener removes the calcium and magnesium that cause hard water and scale. A filter removes things like chlorine, chloramine taste and sediment. Many homes in hard-water areas use both, or a combined system such as our Enhanced Water Softener. More in water filter vs. water softener.

At around 7 to 8 grains per gallon, most GTA homes see scale on kettles, fixtures and water heaters. Whether a softener is worth it depends on your home and how much the scale bothers you. A free water test shows your actual hardness.

Reverse osmosis pushes water through a fine membrane that removes most dissolved solids, including minerals. Paired with carbon filters it also removes chlorine taste. It is usually installed under the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water. See our reverse osmosis systems.

It depends on how much you buy. Two cases of bottled water a week at $5.49 comes to about $571 a year. Our bottled water cost calculator shows your own number and the monthly price where a system costs less.

Whole-home systems are serviced every 6 months, and our customer service team calls you to book the visit. Reverse osmosis filters are usually changed once a year. Book service.

Very little. Our ClearBlu whole-home filtration systems need no electricity at all; softeners and UV systems use a small amount.

Private well owners in Ontario can get free bacteria testing through Public Health Ontario. For iron, hardness, tannins and other minerals, our free in-home test checks what's causing stains, smell or colour.

Orange or rust stains usually point to iron or manganese, and tea-coloured water usually points to tannins from decaying plant matter. We treat these with an iron removal filter or a tannin treatment system, and add UV disinfection where bacteria is a concern.

Yes. Eye Home Solutions started the business and EHS is our short name. Same team, products, warranty and Google reviews, at 47 Sheppard Ave East, Suite 500, Toronto.

Yes. A technician tests your water at home and explains the results before recommending anything. There's no obligation.

Yes. Choose monthly rental, 0% down financing, or buy outright. See payment options.

A 10-year warranty on our water filters and softeners, and 3 years on reverse osmosis systems. See warranty details.

Most installs take about an hour and can often be done the day after the water test.

Toronto and the GTA, including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Oakville, Hamilton, Barrie, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa, plus other parts of Ontario. See service areas.

Yes. We treat water for offices, restaurants and property managers, and run a water refill station where you can bring bottles or book a delivery.