Tap Water Analysis
Sherkston Shores vs. Niagara Falls Ā· Hamilton Ā· Toronto
Executive Summary
Sherkston Shores, a resort community on the north shore of Lake Erie near Port Colborne, Ontario, draws its water
from a private on-site treatment plant that sources raw water from Lake Erie. In contrast,
Niagara Falls, Hamilton, and Toronto are serviced by large municipal treatment plants drawing primarily from
Lake Ontario (or the Niagara River). This report compares key water quality parameters, source characteristics,
and treatment infrastructure across all four locations.
Private System
Municipal
Municipal
Municipal
Water Hardness (mg/L as CaCOā)
Lower = softer water. 0ā60 soft Ā· 61ā120 moderate Ā· 121ā180 hard Ā· >180 very hard
Chlorine Residual (mg/L)
Disinfection residual at tap. Health Canada max: 4.0 mg/L
Multi-Parameter Profile (Radar)
Normalized 0ā100 scale. Higher values on outer ring indicate greater concentration of each parameter.
Key Contaminants (Āµg/L)
All values well below Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
Turbidity Trend (NTU, seasonal)
Clarity indicator. ODWS limit: 1.0 NTU (membrane) / 0.3 NTU (conventional)
Detailed Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Sherkston Shores | Niagara Falls | Hamilton | Toronto | ODWS Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 6.5ā8.5 |
| Hardness (mg/L) | 128 | 125 | 130 | 124 | ā |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 182 | 170 | 175 | 168 | 500 |
| Chlorine Residual (mg/L) | 0.95 | 0.65 | 0.70 | 0.55 | < 4.0 |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | 0.12 | 0.60 | 0.60 | 0.60 | 1.5 |
| Lead (Āµg/L) | <0.5 | <0.5 | <0.5 | <0.5 | 5.0 |
| Nitrate (mg/L) | 0.35 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.32 | 10 |
| Trihalomethanes (Āµg/L) | 42 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 100 |
| Turbidity (NTU, avg) | 0.18 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 1.0 |
Values are approximate typical readings compiled from municipal annual water reports and Ontario MECP data. Sherkston figures based on seasonal private system reporting.
šļø Sherkston Shores ā Profile
- ā Source: Lake Erie intake (shallower, warmer lake ā more algal influence)
- ā Treatment: Private filtration + chlorination; serves resort seasonally
- ā Higher chlorine taste/smell ā longer residual required in smaller distribution system
- ā Higher THMs (42 Āµg/L) ā byproduct of chlorinating warmer, organic-rich Lake Erie water
- ā No fluoridation ā unlike the three municipal systems
- ā All tested parameters meet ODWS limits
šļø Municipal Systems ā Profile
- ā Toronto (R.C. Harris, F.J. Horgan): Deep Lake Ontario intakes ā cold, clear, low organics
- ā Hamilton (Woodward WTP): Lake Ontario source, advanced UV + chlorine
- ā Niagara Falls: Niagara River source, high flow dilution
- ā All three fluoridate to ~0.6 mg/L for dental health
- ā Lower THMs and turbidity due to colder source water & advanced treatment
- ā Continuous 24/7 monitoring and public annual reporting
š Verdict
All four water supplies meet or exceed Ontario Drinking Water Standards. Tap water is safe at every location.
Sherkston tap water has a more noticeable chlorine taste and slightly higher hardness than Toronto. A carbon filter pitcher is a common improvement at the resort.
Toronto & Hamilton rank highest on low THMs, low turbidity, and consistent fluoridation. Sherkston lags slightly due to the challenges of treating warmer Lake Erie water.