The water we drink
Why should we be concerned with the purity of air we breathe at home?
June 28, 2019(Based on the 2018 Water Quality Report Brampton, Mississauga and South Caledon South Peel Drinking Water System report)
Which lake is the largest fresh water lake in the world? A hint? It is one of the Great Lakes. If you are thinking lake Ontario I am sorry to tell you that Lake Ontario is the 12th largest. The winner is Lake Superior. In spite of its 12th place in the rankings “The Lake of Shinning Waters” (in Huron language) is our best friend when it comes to water in our homes.
Published in their annual report (February 2019), the South Peel Drinking Water System supplies a population of over 1.5 million people mainly in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga (17% population growth from 2008). The water is sourced (you guessed right this time) from lake Ontario. Raw water is pumped into two surface water plants, Lakeview and Lorne Park, where it is treated to remove contaminants. These plants are owned by the Region of Peel and operated by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). In 2018, these plants produced 216 billion litres of water combined, which is enough for the region and some of it is directed to York Region as well.
It is along way before water from Lake Ontario reaches your home. At the water treatment plant it goes through various processes that include the use of ultraviolet (UV) to inactivate microorganisms, Ozone to kill bacteria and biologically active carbon needed for absorbing organic matter. The treatment process ends by adding fluoride to protect teeth from cavities.
To ensure the quality of the water is maintained, thousands of water samples are collected throughout the year and tested for a variety of parameters. These tests may include on premise testing in residential homes but they will be performed by Peel with prior arrangements with the owner. In 2018 Peel continued to install and maintain water sampling stations in strategic locations which have reduced the need to enter homes or business locations. To ensure that you are informed about the water quality in Peel there is a Water Quality Team ready to answer your questions at Water Quality Team.905-791-7800 ext. 4685
or via e-mail toWaterQualityInquiries@peelregion.ca. The results of all the tests performed in 2018 confirm excellent quality of drinking water and have been consolidated in this annual report. In terms of hardness (the amount of calcium and magnesium disolved in water measured as calcium carbonate or CaCO3) the water in the South Peel system is considered to be moderately hard.Rafael Davila, February 2019
Resources:
https://www.peelregion.ca/pw/water/quality/reports/
Water Quality Team.905-791-7800 ext. 4685
