View the frequently asked questions below to learn more about water in East Gwillimbury. Detailed information on water quality can also be found on EG’s Annual Report Page.

Is Our Water Safe?

Yes. The drinking water supplied to all EG residents is safe and meets all legislative and regulatory requirements under the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

Town staff who hold water operator licences issued by the MECP collect water samples daily from the Town's drinking water systems. These samples are tested to monitor water quality and help ensure that the water supplied to residents is safe for consumption.
Where do we get our Water from?

York Region is responsible for the treatment, storage, and supply of water to the Town.

The Town’s drinking water comes from two sources:

  • Groundwater wells
  • Surface water from Lake Ontario.

Mount Albert is supplied entirely by groundwater, while the remaining communities in East Gwillimbury are supplied by both groundwater and surface water.
Why Does my Water have a Chlorine Taste or Smell?

Chlorine, or chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) is used as a disinfectant used in the treatment processes by York Region to ensure your water is protected from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms as it travels through the water distribution system. 

A slight chlorine or chloramine taste or odour is normal and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the water.
 What is the Hardness of my Water?

Most of the water supplied by York Region to EG is from groundwater wells. Groundwater contains naturally occurring minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, which contribute to water hardness.

Water with a higher mineral content contributes to a higher degree of hardness. This average hardness varies by community and is measured in parts per million (ppm) or grains per gallon (gpg) of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3):

  • Mount Albert = 315 ppm or 18.4 gpg
  • Holland Landing/ Queensville/ Sharon = 175 ppm or 10.2 gpg
  • Yonge/ Green Lane = 170 ppm or 9.9 gpg

Hardness Range(ppm)

  • Soft: 0-60
  • Moderately hard: 61-120
  • Hard: 121-180
  • Very hard: More than 180

Based on these ranges, EG’s water is considered Hard to Very Hard. Hard water is not unsafe to drink. However, it can cause mineral buildup on faucets and showerheads.

What is the Sodium Level of my Water?

Naturally Occurring sodium is present in the Town’s drinking water at varying levels throughout the communities of East Gwillimbury.

The most up to date sodium levels can be found on York Region’s Drinking Water Quality Page.

Is there Lead in my Water?

The Town of East Gwillimbury regularly conducts annual water testing, including sampling for lead as required by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Regular testing is done to ensure that the Town continues to provide safe and high-quality drinking water to residents.

The Town’s lead sampling program is done compliance with Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The provincial legislation and regulations, require all municipalities to regularly sample and test private taps for lead. Due to historically low levels of lead found within East Gwillimbury's private plumbing samples and distribution system samples, the Town is currently on a Ministry approved reduced lead sampling schedule.

All municipalities must complete two sampling rounds per year, between mid-December to mid-April and mid-June to mid-October. Testing conducted within the Town’s distribution system has shown lead concentrations less than <0.0005 mg/L. This is well below Ontario's drinking water quality standard for lead of 0.010 mg/L.

While municipal water meets strict safety standards, older indoor plumbing or lead solder can affect tap water.

East Gwillimbury does not have any lead water service lines. Any lead found in drinking water supplies would be introduced after water leaves Regional or Town infrastructure, most likely through in-home plumbing. 

If your house was built before the 1990’s, it could have lead solder. To determine if you have lead in your private plumbing system, consult a licensed plumber or consider having your tap water privately tested for lead. Please note that Town staff do not perform testing on internal household plumbing.

For more information and frequently asked questions please visit York Region FAQs

Does my Water contain Fluoride?

York Region supplies East Gwillimbury with treated drinking water, including the addition of fluoride. Fluoride levels in the Town’s drinking water can vary between 0.06 and 0.47 mg/L.

For more information about fluoridated water in York Region, visit York Region/Water and Wastewater.
Why is my Water Discoloured?

Water discolouration can occur for several reasons. In EG the main cause of discolouration is the presence of the naturally occurring Iron from groundwater.

Iron is not considered dangerous to human health but rather an aesthetic issue to learn more visit Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Iron. York Region uses a treatment process called iron sequestration which involves the addition of Sodium Silicate, to help keep iron in suspension and reduces the accumulation on plumbing fixtures.

Occasionally, discolouration can occur in distribution system pipes because of planned or unplanned emergency maintenance activities performed by Town staff.

For more information on water treatment and iron levels, please visit York Region’s Water Quality Page or contact them at 1-887-464-9675 .

 

 Red/yellow/brown (Cold Water)

If your cold water is discoloured follow these steps:

  • Set the water softener and any treatment devices to bypass (if applicable)
  • Start flushing closest to the source, working your way out to the extremities running till your taps are clear
  • If the water is still discoloured after 10-15 minutes, contact East Gwillimbury's Customer Service to report.

Note: when checking and flushing the cold water, it is recommended to use fixtures that have a separate hot and cold handle, this is to ensure that the mixer valve is not allowing water from the hot water tank to pass through.
 Red/yellow/brown (Hot Water)

Like cold water, discolouration is often caused by naturally occurring iron from groundwater.

When water is heated within a hot water tank or when stagnant, the iron sequestration breaks down allowing the iron to fall out of suspension and build up in the bottom of the hot water tank and fixtures. It is found more often in tanks with high water temperatures and low water usage. Therefore, discoloured water is more commonly noticed when using the hot water, such as filling a bathtub.

Regular maintenance including draining and flushing of your hot water tank, as per manufacturers recommendations, will help reduce discolouration and sediment.
 Flushing your Hot Water Tank

The water coming into your home contains many naturally occurring minerals. Over time, they begin to build up inside your hot water tank and can cause issues with water discoloration, and may affect your water pressure, lifespan of your water heater, and energy consumption. Regular maintenance is recommended by hot water tank manufacturers.

 When to know you Hot Water Tank should be flushed?
  • Review your manufacturer’s guidelines or discuss with your hot water tank service provider to determine when and how often to flush your hot water tank.
  • Typically, discoloration, or other aesthetic issues (odor, smells) in your hot water indicates that flushing the hot water tank may be needed.
  • Hot water tank anode rods can contribute to odour. Ensure the anode rod is properly inspected and replace if necessary. How to flush your hot water tank?
  • Refer to your manufacturer's manual, ask your hot water tank service provider, or a licensed plumber
  • There are many helpful videos and how-to guides available online; please make sure to understand and follow safety requirements if performing this work
 Tankless hot water heaters
  • Maintenance is still required for tankless water heaters to prevent mineral buildup and to maintain efficiency
  • Refer to manufacturer manual, call a licensed plumber, or search refer to videos and how-to guides available online
 White Water
Water may appear 'milky' when air is trapped in the drinking water system. To check that it is air, pour some water into a clear glass and wait a minute, if you notice the water gradually clearing from the bottom, it means that it is air. When this happens, your water is still safe to drink.
 Green Water
Greenish water or staining is often associated with copper plumbing and should be investigated if persistent.
 Toilet Tank Discolouration 

A slimy or coloured buildup in a toilet tank can sometimes be associated with naturally occurring iron or iron bacteria.  Routine cleaning may help manage the issue.
Why does my Water Pressure Change or is Low?

Water pressure may be impacted your location and elevation within the distribution system. Homes located at a higher elevation may experience lower water pressure than homes at a lower elevation because there is less water weight above your property. Additional Factors contributing to lower pressure may include:

  • Local demand such as peak periods of use, sprinkler systems in the summer months
  • Regular maintenance procedures by the Town or Region
  • Mineral build-up within your plumbing (water softener, filters, etc.)
  • Emergency events such as fires.
  • What to Check if My Pressure Drops or is Low?

If you experience a significant drop in water pressure:

  • Please ensure that there are no leaks anywhere on the private side of the water service or in the home
  • If installed, set your water softener and filter on by-pass (if applicable)  
  • Check that tap aerators are not obstructed by mineral deposits to ensure they are not causing the pressure issues

For more information, please contact the Water Department or phone our Customer Service team at 905-478-4282.

Last Updated  

August 2026