What we test
| Test | What it tells you | Ontario guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Calcium and magnesium: the cause of scale, spots and dry skin | Operational guideline 80–100 mg/L |
| Chlorine | The disinfectant in city water: the source of most taste and smell complaints | Needed for safety in the pipes |
| pH | Whether water is acidic (corrosive) or alkaline (scale-forming) | 6.5–8.5 |
| Total dissolved solids (TDS) | Everything dissolved in the water; affects taste and spotting | Aesthetic objective 500 mg/L |
| Iron | Orange or rust stains and a metallic taste | Aesthetic objective 0.3 mg/L |
| Manganese | Black or brown stains | Aesthetic objective 0.05 mg/L |
Aesthetic objectives are about taste, smell, colour and staining rather than health. Guidelines are from Ontario's Drinking Water Quality Standards and technical support document.
Reading your hardness result
| Classification | mg/L (as CaCO₃) | Grains per gallon |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0–60 | 0–3.5 |
| Moderately hard | 61–120 | 3.6–7.0 |
| Hard | 121–180 | 7.1–10.5 |
| Very hard | 181+ | 10.6+ |
Divide mg/L by 17.1 to get grains per gallon. Most GTA lake water lands at about 7 to 8 grains; municipal wells in places like Stouffville, Milton and Caledon run 15 to 20+. See hardness by city.
How the visit works
- 1Book a time
Online or by phone, mornings, afternoons or evenings.
- 2Test at your tap
About 30 minutes. You see every result as we measure it.
- 3Recommendation
We explain what we found and what (if anything) to treat. No obligation.
Well water testing
If you're on a private well, also test for bacteria at least once a year. Public Health Ontario does this for free: pick up a sample bottle through your local health unit. Our in-home test covers the minerals the bacteria test doesn't: iron, manganese, hardness and pH. More in well water solutions.
Want the background? Read why testing your water matters.
Questions
Is the water test really free?
Yes. There's no charge and no obligation.
How often should I test?
City water: every few years, or if something changes. Private wells: bacteria at least once a year, minerals every few years.
Do you test for lead?
Lead needs a lab test. If your home was built before the mid-1950s, ask your city about a lead testing kit; a certified reverse osmosis system reduces lead at the kitchen tap.
Free in-home water test
Find out what's in your water
We test your water at your home, show you what's in it, and recommend the system that fits.
- Free
- About 30 minutes
- No obligation