Introduction - Why Is This Topic Of Interest?
Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From?
Drinking Water Indicators
 

Introduction - Why Is This Topic Of Interest?

Greek poets called it the “nectar of life”. Impressive language and they were pretty much right on target.

Water is critical to all aspects of our lives and it is important that we ensure there is a safe and reliable source of water for all our uses - now and in the future.

Drinking water is one of the basic requirements of life since our bodies are comprised of over 60% water. It is therefore important that we have access to high quality and sufficient supplies of drinking water. London is fortunate to have the Great Lakes to provide the source of our drinking water. These lakes contain the largest single source of fresh water (not salt water) in the world and London is located directly between two of them. Our use of this water comes with the responsibility to use it wisely. The water we contribute back to the Great Lakes via the Thames River is also treated to current standards (see Sewage Treatment indicator).

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Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From?

London has had several sources of drinking water over the past 150 years. In the days of the early settlers, the Thames River was used for drinking water as well as for transportation. Since that time, both surface water (lakes and rivers) and groundwater (wells) sources have been used. Springbank Park, Pond Mills and the Beck Wells Systems (see Pipes, Pavement and Pillars PDF publication for more historical details) were used as water sources. In 1967 the size and the needs of the City contributed to the requirement of a pipeline from Lake Huron. In 1995, the surface water supply system was expanded to Lake Erie by connecting to the Elgin Area Water Supply System.

Water from Lake Huron and Lake Erie are drawn and treated using separate water systems referred to as the Lake Huron Water Supply System and the Elgin Area Water Supply System. These systems are managed by a Board of elected representatives (or collectively known as the Joint Boards) from the 14 municipalities who obtain their drinking water from these systems. Groundwater wells are only used during an emergency as a back-up water source for London.

Our drinking water goes through a treatment process involving settling tanks and filtration to remove particles. Chemicals are used in the treatment process to provide a safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water. Alum is used to help settle out finer sediments, chlorination to kill microorganisms and fluoride to help prevent cavities. For more info refer to: (http://www.watersupply.london.ca/water_education.html)

The water is then delivered to us through a series of pipes, storage reservoirs and pumping stations that collectively are known as the distribution system. Water testing is conducted continuously to ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water. Both the water treatment and water distribution systems are maintained to safeguard our water and prevent contamination. The Joint Boards manage the water system from the Great Lakes source to the city boundary while the City manages the distribution system which ensures the water quality and quantity for our residents. Water testing results satisfy or exceed government requirements and standards (refer to drinking water test results).

From the Great Lakes to your tap...(PDF poster)

In 1966, London was the largest city in Canada to rely solely on groundwater wells for our drinking water.

  Today’s water network from the two Great Lakes services approximately 400,000 people in 14 municipalities through 1,450 km (900 miles) of piping and 345 million litres (75 million gallons) of reservoir storage.

  Water intakes from the Great Lakes use a chlorine solution to stop zebra mussels from plugging intake pipes.

  Seven booster pumping stations are required to deliver pressures to consistent levels in the City.

More than 130 organic and inorganic parameters are routinely tested to safeguard the quality of our drinking water system.

How we treat our land reflects in the quality of our surface water. Water treatment is only one of many ways to ensure a safe drinking water supply.

A glass of London drinking water is tested and safeguarded to a much more rigid standard than bottled drinking water bought in stores.

  London residents get 1,650 glasses of water for the same price that you pay for a bottle of drinking water.

A dripping tap wastes between 30 and 100 litres of water per day that then flows to a sewage treatment plant.

An average London household gets their daily water needs for approximately 90 cents, less than the price of one bottle of drinking water.

Your water dollar is spent to pay for the cost of water purchase; operations and maintenance; and replacement and new infrastructure (33¢ each).

A low-flow showerhead can save 42,000 litres of hot water each year - enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.

Did you know that you can get more information including annual summaries of drinking water treatment from the City web site?