Northwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
lake
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
429.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Northwood, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Northwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -51% |
| Washing Machine | 7.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -37% |
| Water Heater | 9.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Northwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Mineralization | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Northwood, Ontario | 163 mg/L | High | 🟠 Hard |
| Thunder Bay, Ontario | 48 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| Shuniah, Ontario | 163 mg/L | High | 🟠 Hard |
| Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | 40 mg/L | Low | 🟢 Soft |
| Kenora, Ontario | 71 mg/L | Medium | 🟡 Moderately Hard |
National Benchmark
How Northwood compares to the Canada average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Northwood | 163 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Canada National Avg | 141 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Vancouver Top Rated | 3 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Northwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Northwood's drinking water is supplied through a local Thunder Bay District water system, drawing from a local lake, river, or reservoir source — Northwood is a residential community in the Thunder Bay District of Northwestern Ontario, in the greater Thunder Bay urban area at the western tip of Lake Superior, the Lakehead region where the Canadian Shield and the Superior Highlands meet the great lake. Water undergoes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, UV disinfection, and chloramination, meeting all Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) requirements. Hardness measures 163 mg/L (9.5 gpg) — classified as hard by Health Canada, consistent with a local northern Ontario lake or mixed supply in the Thunder Bay District.
Northwood draws from a local water source within the Thunder Bay District watershed — the Thunder Bay area sits at the geological boundary between the Archean and Proterozoic Superior Province Canadian Shield granites and the Ordovician and Silurian carbonate rocks of the Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior Highlands transition zone. While Lake Superior itself is very soft (~25–40 mg/L), local reservoir or groundwater sources in the Thunder Bay District can carry harder water (up to 163 mg/L) from dissolution of limestone and dolomite in the fringing Paleozoic carbonate formations or local glacial carbonate till in the Lakehead Plateau.
At 163 mg/L, Northwood homes experience regular scale deposits — monthly kettle and showerhead cleaning is typical. Hot water tanks benefit from periodic inspection. Health Canada lead precautionary guidance applies to pre-1975 properties in the established Northwood residential area. Residents on the northern Ontario Shield can also consult the Northwestern Health Unit for local water quality guidance at nwhu.on.ca.
Geology & Source: Supplied by the City of Thunder Bay or a local Thunder Bay District water system from a local lake or reservoir source — the Northwood Thunder Bay area supply produces hard water at 163 mg/L (9.5 gpg), consistent with a local northern Ontario lake or groundwater supply.