Drinking Water Quality

Community Lead Testing

The Rockwood and Hamilton Drive Water Systems are currently exempt from sampling for lead in private plumbing, as we have met the criteria noted within the Community Lead Testing Program (requirement O. Reg. 170/03) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. However, distribution system sampling is still required for pH and alkalinity for every "winter, summer" period, and lead once every 3 years, "winter" and "summer" period.

For more information, please contact our Water/Wastewater Department at 519-856-9596 ext. 122 or water-sewer@get.on.ca


Sodium and Fluoride Levels

Sodium and Fluoride levels are regularly monitored in water supplied to Guelph/Eramosa consumers. Samples collected are analyzed at accredited and licensed laboratories and test results are compiled and made available to the public.

The following Sodium results were sampled in 2014:

Sodium Current Standards/Guidelines
  • Aesthetic Ojective (mg/L)

200

  • Indicator of Adverse Quality (mg/L)

20

  • Hamilton Drive Well Supply range from 7 mg/L to 39 mg/L
  • Rockwood Well Supply range from 3 mg/L to 210 mg/L
  • Gazer Mooney Drinking Water System 26 mg/L

Although it is not considered toxic to people, sodium in drinking water in excess of 20 mg/L may be significant to individuals on a sodium restricted diet. 

The Medical Officer of Health is notified when the sodium concentration in a municipal water supply exceeds 20 mg/L so the information can be provided to local physicians.

Fluoride Current Standards/Guidelines
  • Standard (mg/L)

1.5

  • Optimum Range (mg/L)

0.5 - 0.8

  • Hamilton Drive Well Supply range from 0.14 mg/L to 0.16 mg/L
  • Rockwood Well Supply range from 0.95 mg/L to 1.3 mg/L

Fluoride occurs naturally in surface water due to atmospheric deposition from industry and volcanic eruptions, leaching from fertilizers, and the weathering of rocks and soils containing fluoride. Groundwater wells within the Guelph/Eramosa Township are especially rich in fluoride. Levels are currently below the guideline as set out under Regulation 170 of The Safe Drinking Water Act.

Water Hardness (Rockwood and Hamilton Drive.)

For more information on additional water softener facts, please visit watersoftenerfacts.ca


Your drinking water
Municipal Drinking Water Licensing

Based on the Walkerton Inquiry recommendations, the Ministry of the Environment implemented the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program (MDWLP) through regulation, O. Reg. 188/07.

Upon successfully meeting the following criteria, the Township of Guelph/Eramosa was issued its first Municipal Drinking Water Licenses (MDWLs) and Drinking Water Works Permits (DWWPs) by the Ministry of the Environment in December 2010.

  1. A Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP), replaces Certificate of Approval (C of A),
  2. A Permit to Take Water (PTTW), already existing,
  3. A Ministry of Environment and Climate Change accepted Operational Plan, based on the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS),
  4. An Accredited Operating Authority, achieved by passing a third party audit of the DWQMS, and
  5. A Financial Plan, as required by regulation O. Reg. 453/07. (see below for Financial Plan)
Drinking Water Quality Management System (QMS)

The Township of Guelph/Eramosa has developed an Operational Plan for the Hamilton Drive and Rockwood Water Supply Systems. Additionally, the City of Guelph, Operating Authority for the Gazer Mooney Subdivision Distribution System is responsible for including Gazer Mooney Subdivision Distribution System in their respective Operational Plan.

These two plans document the Quality Management System (QMS) developed for drinking water systems to meet the requirements of the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) v. 2.0 dated February 2017, and to comply with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

Both Operational Plans are available for public viewing upon request at the Township of Guelph/Eramosa office located at 8348 Wellington Rd. 124, at  Brucedale. Additionally, Gazer Mooney Subdivision Distribution System is available for viewing at Service Guelph, located at Guelph City Hall.

Defining the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard

Collective policies, plans, procedures, and the supporting infrastructure by which an organization aims to reduce and eventually eliminate non-conformance to specifications, standards, and customer expectations in the most effective and efficient manner.

Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) can be described as:
  • Plan - establish the objectives, policy, and procedures necessary to deliver the results
  • Do - implement the procedures 
  • Check - monitor and measure proceudres and report the results
  • Improve - take action to continually improve performance.
What does the DWQMS impact?

Anyone responsible and / or involved in the delivery of safe drinking water from a municipal residential drinking water system. This includes the Mayor, Councilors, Clerks, Treasurers, CAOs, Public Works Staff, Operating Authorities, Managers, Operators, Quality Management Representatives, and their Administrators.

What are some benefits of the program?
  • The System as a whole is striving to reduce the risks
  • Provides consistency with operations
  • Provides procedures to reduce errors
  • Improves teamwork & communications
  • Roles & responsibliities are clearly identified
  • Everyone strives to improve.

If you would like a copy of the Township's Quality Management System Operation Plan, please contact our Water/Wastewater Department at 519-856-9596 ext. 122 or water-sewer@get.on.ca

Click here to view the DWQMS Policy & Commitment/ Endorsement Documents

Financial plan

Town Council approved the Financial Plan at its meeting on May 12, 2025.  The Financial Plan provides an in-depth analysis of capital and operating needs, a review of current and future demand versus supply, and consideration of available funding sources.


Water quality reports

Ontario’s Drinking Water Systems regulation Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 - O. Reg. 170/03 requires that the owner of a municipal drinking water system prepare an annual report on the operation of the system and the quality of its’ water.

For questions regarding drinking water reports contact Water/Wastewater Department at 519-856-9596 Ext 122 or water-sewer@get.on.ca.

Click here for a Glossary of Analytical Terms for Drinking Water

Click on the links below to view reports. For Gazer Mooney, please see City of Guelph Annual and Summary Water Services Reports and Waterworks Reports.

For reports prior to 2017, please contact the Township's office.

If you have questions, please contact the Water/Wastewater Department at 519-856-9596 ext. 122 or water-sewer@get.on.ca