Sault Ste. Marie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Sault Ste. Marie Public Works Department supplies water to about 75,000 people in the city and the Algoma District. Their sole source is the St. Marys River, drawn through the Purified Water Pumping Station, also called the Water Filtration Plant. This facility, located at 425 Queen Street East, treats the water using screening, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with chlorine. They also add fluoride. No reservoirs or groundwater wells are used; the entire supply comes directly from the river.

The St. Marys River watershed is part of the Canadian Shield. Its headwaters in Lake Superior drain through ancient crystalline bedrock, primarily igneous and metamorphic rocks like granite and gneiss from the Archean period. While glacial deposits of sand and gravel from the Pleistocene epoch are present, these non-carbonate formations contribute very little dissolved calcium and magnesium. This geology means the water is naturally very soft, lacking the minerals found in supplies from southern Ontario's limestone regions.

Because the water is so soft, you won't see much scale buildup in your appliances. This is good news for your water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, which are spared the mineral deposits common with harder water. You'll also notice soap lathers up easily, meaning you can use less, and your skin might feel less dry after showering. Installing a water softener isn't necessary and could even remove beneficial minerals. Instead, homeowners should focus on regular filter cleaning and checking pipes for any potential corrosion, as soft water can sometimes be more corrosive. The water quality here consistently meets or surpasses provincial standards.