Metrotown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
141.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
energy & soap waste
Source: Health Canada Water Quality · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Metrotown, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Metrotown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Metrotown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Mineralization | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metrotown, British Columbia | 66.5 mg/L | Medium | 🟡 Moderately Hard |
| Maywood, British Columbia | 18.5 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| South Slope, British Columbia | 70 mg/L | Medium | 🟡 Moderately Hard |
| Garden Village, British Columbia | 83 mg/L | Medium | 🟡 Moderately Hard |
| Marlborough, British Columbia | 46 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
National Benchmark
How Metrotown compares to the Canada average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metrotown | 66.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Canada National Avg | 141 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Vancouver Top Rated | 3 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Vancouver-quality water to your Metrotown home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Metrotown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Metrotown (the commercial and high-rise residential hub of Burnaby, centred on Metropolis at Metrotown and the SkyTrain interchange) receives its drinking water through the City of Burnaby, which purchases bulk supply from Metro Vancouver (GVWD) — sourced from the protected mountain watersheds of Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam reservoirs. Water is treated at the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant using ozonation, biofiltration, UV disinfection, and chloramination, fully meeting the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ). Hardness in Metrotown's distribution zone is 66.5 mg/L (3.9 gpg) — classified as moderately hard by Health Canada, substantially elevated above Metro Vancouver's characteristic 4–6 mg/L mountain source baseline.
Metrotown's elevated hardness compared to the ultra-soft Metro Vancouver source reflects local distribution zone characteristics in central Burnaby — a complex urban distribution grid serving a dense high-rise corridor. The elevated mineral content may result from a blend of Metro Vancouver supply with local groundwater supplementation in parts of Burnaby's distribution system, or from distribution infrastructure characteristics in this established urban centre. Metrotown's central Burnaby position places it in a distinct supply sub-zone from the immediately adjacent New Westminster (62 mg/L) and Surrey residential areas.
At 66.5 mg/L, Metrotown residents in condominiums and residential towers experience only moderate scale — occasional tap aerator and kettle descaling every two to three months is typically sufficient. Hot water tanks and appliances operate reliably at this hardness. The City of Burnaby provides annual water quality information at burnaby.ca, with zone-specific data available for residents wishing to understand their specific supply characteristics.
Geology & Source: Supplied by City of Burnaby from Metro Vancouver (GVWD) mountain reservoir water with elevated mineral content in the Metrotown central Burnaby distribution zone — distribution characteristics produce moderately soft water at 66.5 mg/L (3.9 gpg).