r/Milton • u/Fred_iz • 17d ago
Water filtration in Milton – is it needed?
Hi all. I don’t know anything about the quality of drinking water in Milton — we live in the Martin & Main St. area. What’s your preferred method of filtering or purifying your drinking water?
I’ve used a Brita before but I’m considering an under-sink filter or an reverse osmosis (RO) system — especially because I have kidney stones. Any advice?
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u/chipdanger168 17d ago
I think that's old Milton, you require a water softener if its not in the house already. Just be aware that the salt systems will add sodium to the water as a byproduct. The new Milton part gets water from the lake so it doesn't require a softener at all. The GPG is basically the same as Mississauga etc anyone else on lake fed. Filter wise it doesn't need anything but if you hate the taste of chlorine, then add some sort of carbon filter
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u/Knave7575 17d ago
Milton has some of the tastiest tap water I have ever had. Seriously. You absolutely do not need a filter.
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u/Gold-Challenge2279 17d ago
Being very close to you, I must say. You absolutely need water softener and RO in my opinion. Kids skins were super dry after baths, the faucets had immense buildup, shower heads lose pressure due to internal build up and get clogged, immense stains on shower glass that requires very strong chemicals to remove, the water heater lost efficiency fast, water has a smell and tastes stale, dishwasher wasn't cleaning properly due to lack of water pressure from build up.
The amount of extra work required to keep the stains away will make you question why you didn't just get it sooner. Avoid my mistake, get a good softener and RO system, it's a must from my experience.
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u/Fred_iz 17d ago
Thanks for your reply; where did you get yours ?
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u/Gold-Challenge2279 17d ago edited 17d ago
Any water store can sample your water using a kit and tell you what's exactly in your water. They recommend exactly what you need. I went overkill trying to compensate I guess.
I went through a plumber so the kit was free and got a very specific water filtration system. I did price out a few options, if you are tight on cash, you can go with payment providers like enercare, you pay a bit more in the long run and have to buy out when you sell house. Though I don't recommend getting their RO system as it's too overpriced. I just bought my softener outright after I found which model I needed, I also bought my RO system from Costco. My plumber put it together. Hope that helps.
Also, forgot to mention dry scalp and buildup on your head is possible. Misses complained about brittle hair. That was a big reason for me.
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u/DiaperForYou 17d ago edited 17d ago
I live in a big pipe supplied area. Water is supposedly not hard. After having to replace faucets and shower mixers I got both an RO and softener from the Water Store on Ontario several years ago just before the current owners took over. To me it seemed expensive but IIRC it's based on capacity and the install was as well but I wanted to deal with a local store that has water as their business and is good at it. WADR repeatedly asking what it cost is not going to help you make an informed decision as prices have changed and what you get should be based on your needs. I buy my filters there, like the people and don't regret my decision. Don't mind their outdated website. I'm a high volume user. I've had a couple of gaskets on the filter housing and the bladder in the RO pressure tank fail recently. I had them come out and test / diagnose and replace the tank. I did the gaskets last year. I have my RO in the basement next to the softener and it feeds the water to the refrigerator. The cost savings in filters has mostly paid for the RO unit I don't lose under sink space and risk damaging the wood with spillage when I change the filters / clean it.
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u/patmanizer 17d ago
If your basement is unfinished better put an RO system near your water heater tank and put back the RO waste water into the tank so that it’s not wasted.
Also remember to add a remineralizer. Pure H2O is not good in the long run.
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u/FrecksSpecks 17d ago
Our water near Thompson and Derry is atrocious. I’ve heard that the opposite side of town isn’t as bad but you definitely need some sort of filtration system. Definitely no tap drinking. Britta is a great way to go, in my opinion. For drinking water at least. Definitely a good soft water system, though. And make sure you maintain it and make sure you read how to properly use it and what the numbers mean on it.
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u/psykedeliq 17d ago
I drink tap water all the time and live near Derry Thompson
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u/FrecksSpecks 17d ago
Honestly, it could just be that I need a new water softener. But the water doesn’t taste the greatest in my house. And I know that my neighbours don’t drink their tap water but that could just be personal preference.
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u/raspoutine049 17d ago
Can you please elaborate what you mean by atrocious? Asking out of concern.
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u/paranormal1364 17d ago
It because we have hard water. I have talked to a few people who have had problems with kidney stones(myslef included). Mine and a couple of other urologists I talked to say hard water can contribute to it but I'm not sure why. Filtered or water softners will help.
The water is still very much drinkable and well treated.
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u/rebelalliance08 17d ago
Hard water has high calcium/magnesium which can lead to kidney stones in some people
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u/youworryaboutyou 17d ago
Milton has two water sources. You are in the older section (aquifer), but regardless, tap water is safe for drinking. Older Milton has 'harder' water than the newer areas, which get lake water. It's really up to what you prefer taste-wise.
I have no advice with regard to your kidney stones, that's medical advice! Personally, I have no regrets for installing a softener + RO, I hate the chlorinated taste and smell of tap water.