Where does the water in Napanee come from?
Napanee tap water comes from Lake Ontario. Water is pumped 16 km from Lake Ontario to reservoirs located at the corner of Golf Course Lane and County Road 8. From there, the water flows by gravity to the water treatment plant at the south end of East Street.
Why does my water look cloudy?
Napanee tap water comes from Lake Ontario. Water is pumped 16 km from Lake Ontario to reservoirs located at the corner of Golf Course Lane and County Road 8. From there, the water flows by gravity to the water treatment plant at the south end of East Street.
Why does my water look cloudy?
At certain times during the year, you may find that your tap water appears cloudy. This is not a health concern.
The cloudy water you are experiencing is due to air bubbles that are trapped in the tap water. As the water warms up slightly in your household plumbing and pressure is reduced through your tap fixture, dissolved air will be released, resulting in the cloudy white appearance. When filling a glass of water, this cloudy appearance should disappear within a few minutes.
To confirm this, pour some cold water into a glass and observe. You should notice the air bubbles gradually disappear from the bottom of the glass upwards within 1 to 2 minutes. If the cloudiness persists, please call our Infrastructure Services Department at 613-354-3351.
Is there a specific 'taste' or 'odour' that water is supposed to have?
Depending on where your water source is coming from, it may have a specific 'taste' or 'odour' to it:
- “Earthy” or “musty” odour: Napanee's water system draws from Lake Ontario, which has a natural, slightly "earthy” or “musty" odour. This odour is caused by trace levels of natural organic substances produced by plants and algae in the lake. The water purification process removes almost all of the odour present in the lake water. Some sensitive consumers may still notice an odour, especially when tap water is warmed up (e.g. showering). The odour is not a health concern.
- “Sulphur” or “septic” odour from your tap: If you notice a "septic” or "sulphur" odour when using the bathroom and kitchen faucets, it is usually caused by decaying hair, dirt and debris that is caught in the drain. It is not coming from your tap water. To check this, fill a glass with cold water and take it immediately to another room in the house. If this water is odourless, the odour is coming from your drain. To correct the problem, the drain must be cleaned physically or with the use of a chemical drain cleaning product. Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of baking soda, followed by vinegar down the drain. Wait a few minutes and then run your cold water tap for one minute.
Why does my water look rusty/discoloured?
If the water in your cold water tap or toilet tank is rusty, yellow, or discoloured, this could be a result of sediment coming from the water main. This often occurs when water main construction or fire hydrant maintenance is being conducted in your area. Sudden changes in flow can disturb rusty or iron sediments within older water main pipes. The red/yellow discoloured water is caused by the presence of iron, and while it is not aesthetically pleasing, it does not pose a health concern. If you experience discoloured water, remove the aerator from the tap and let the water run for a few minutes, after which it should run clear. After it is running clear, replace the aerator.
What does it mean if I find particles or sediment in my tap water?
Occasionally, particles might be observed in your tap water. There are a few common situations that can lead to particles:
- White/brown particles: If the particles are white and appear to have a slight brown appearance on one side, it might be a piece of ceramic from the liner of your hot water tank. To check this, the particle should be able to be crushed with a spoon and should fizz when vinegar is added. Contact your hot water tank supplier and have it inspected if you find ceramic particles in your water.
- Sand or sediment: If the particles appear to be sandy and are observed in the storage tank at the back of your toilet, it is most likely sediment that was disturbed in the water main. Hydrant flushing will generally clear any sediment from the water mains in your area.
- Black particles: Black particles can sometimes be small pieces of rubber from a deteriorating gasket or rubber washer in your tap fixture.
- Reddish/brown particles: If you observe tiny red/brown spheres in your tap water, it might be resin beads from a water softener or filtration system. These beads look almost translucent and their presence indicates your water softener needs to be inspected or replaced.
Is Greater Napanee's water hard or soft?
The Municipal tap water in Greater Napanee typically averages 120 ppm or mg/L CaCO₃. This is described as 'moderately hard' on the hardness scale.
