Queenswood Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Queenswood Heights receives its water from the City of Ottawa Water Services. The primary source is the Ottawa River, with treated water supplied by the Lemieux Island Water Production Centre and the Britannia Water Production Centre. These facilities process surface water from the Ottawa River and deliver it to the neighbourhood's distribution system. This system serves a large area of Ottawa, including the east end neighbourhood of Queenswood Heights. No groundwater sources are utilized for this supply.

The watershed feeding the Ottawa River encompasses parts of the Canadian Shield and sedimentary basins. Underlying this region are Ordovician and Silurian period limestone and dolostone formations. Glacial till and Champlain Sea clays also affect water infiltration. However, the river's substantial flow dilutes geological minerals. This dilution, combined with natural softening processes, results in very soft water with a low mineral content, even with the presence of limestone.

Because the water is very soft, you'll find minimal scale buildup on appliances like water heaters, boilers, dishwashers, and washing machines. This also means less limescale on plumbing fixtures and pipes, which helps extend their lifespan and maintain operational efficiency. A water softener isn't necessary; instead, homeowners might consider scale inhibitors if they notice any spotting caused by the low mineral content. Ottawa's water is treated to meet all Health Canada guidelines, with a pH usually between 7.5 and 8.0 to ensure stability and minimize corrosion.