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The City of Hamilton takes raw water from Lake Ontario then filters, cleans and treats it to supply Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster, Waterdown, parts of Flamborough and Glanbrook with safe, potable water. As well, the City provides treated water to parts of Haldimand County.
Lake water enters an intake pipe and is pumped to the Woodward Avenue Water Treatment Facility. The water treatment process consists of pre-chlorination, screening, clarification by means of coagulation with polyhydroxyaluminum chloride, floccuation by mechanical mixing, followed by sedimentation. The filtration process has been upgraded by the addition of granulated activated carbon in the filters to remove taste and odour. This condition is usually present in the water in the late summer, when algae are abundant. Chlorine and ammonia are added to the filtered water to bring the combined chlorine residual to approximately 1.3 milligrams per litre (mg/L). Hydrofluosilicic acid (fluoride) is added to the drinking water to promote dental health. |
 Water Treatment Process
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Water Distribution
Treated water is pumped through the Central Water Distribution System to residential homes and businesses in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster and areas of Flamborough and Glanbrook, as well as parts of Haldimand County (Caledonia, York and Cayuga), and minor connections to Halton (Burlington).
The City owns, operates and maintains the vast central and communal well water distribution systems, which consist of approximately 1,874 kilometres of water mains, 12,000 fire hydrants, 14,000 water valves, 123,000 service connections and various related system accessories.
Hamilton - Woodward Avenue - Source and Treatment
The City of Hamilton treats raw water from Lake Ontario and supplies Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster, Waterdown, parts of Flamborough and Glanbrook with treated water. As well, we provide treated water to parts of the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk (Caledonia, York and Cayuga). Lake water enters an intake pipe and is pumped to the Woodward Avenue Water Treatment Facility. The water treatment process consists of pre-chlorination, screening, clarification by means of coagulation with polyhydroxyaluminum chloride, floccuation by mechanical mixing, followed by sedimentation. The filtration process has been upgraded by the addition of granulated activated carbon (GAC) in the filters to remove taste and odour. This condition is usually present in the water in the late summer, when algae are abundant. Chlorine and ammonia are added to the filtered water to bring the combined chlorine residual to approximately 1.3 mg/L. Hydrofluosilicic acid (fluoride) is added to the drinking water to promote dental health.
The water treatment plant has a rated capacity of 909,000 m3/day (200 million gallons per day) and operates between one third and one half of its capacity.
Carlisle Drinking Water - Source and Treatment
The water source for the community of Carlisle is ground water. The Carlisle water supply system consists of four wells and one elevated water storage tank.
Carlisle Well FDC01 and FDC02 are drilled ground water wells. Within the FDC01 well house, the wells are joined to a common header for flow metering and disinfection using sodium hypochlorite (chlorine). An elevated water storage tank is also located on this site. The tank was designed for peak hour water demand equalization as well as fire and emergency storage.
Carlisle FDC03R and FDC05 are also drilled ground water wells. Within the FDC03R well house, the wells are joined to a common header for flow metering and disinfection using an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment system (primary disinfection) and sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) (secondary disinfection). On-line analyzers monitor and control various process aspects ensuring the quality of the treated water. A chlorine contact chamber assists in ensuring adequate disinfection is achieved. Carlisle well FDC05 is comprised of a main well pump, a filtering system, a UV system (primary disinfection), sodium hypochlorite metering (secondary disinfection) and associated instrumentation to monitor and control the well operation. Fluoridation is not carried out at the Carlisle community wells.
Freelton Drinking Water - Source and Treatment
The water source for the community of Freelton is ground water. The Freelton water supply system consists of two wells and one elevated water storage tank.
Well FDF01 is a drilled ground water well. Disinfection is provided by an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment system (primary disinfection) and sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) (secondary disinfection). On-line analyzers monitor and control various process aspects ensuring the quality of the treated water.
Well FDF02 is a drilled ground water well. Currently, this well is off line. Bacterial contamination has been found in the untreated water after periods of heavy rain.
An elevated water storage tank is available for peak hour water demand equalization as well as fire and emergency storage.
Fluoridation is not carried out at the Freelton community well.
Greensville Drinking Water - Source and Treatment
The water source for the community of Greensville is ground water. The Greensville water supply system consists of one drilled ground water well FDG01.
The facilities are comprised of a main well pump, a filtering system, a UV system (primary disinfection), sodium hypochlorite metering (secondary disinfection) and associated instrumentation to monitor and control the well operation.
Fluoridation is not carried out at the Greensville community well.
Lynden Drinking Water - Source and Treatment
The water source for the community of Lynden is ground water. The Lynden water supply system consists of one drilled ground water well FDL01. Untreated water enters the reservoir and in the first cell (aeration cell) compressed air is diffused into the water reducing the levels of hydrogen sulfide in the water.
As water passes into the second cell (chlorination cell), sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) is injected into the water. A second chlorination point is available on the high lift pump discharge to boost chlorine residual levels. On-line analyzers monitor and control various process aspects ensuring the quality of the treated water.
Fluoridation is not carried out at the Lynden communal well.
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Environmental Laboratory
The City of Hamilton Environmental Laboratory is located on the Woodward Avenue site. The Laboratory consists of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and microbiology sections, providing chemical and bacteriological analytical services to other City Departments, private companies and the public. |
Contact information:
700 Woodward Avenue
Hamilton, Ontario L8H 6P4
(905) 546-2424, ext. 5834 (telephone)
(905) 545-0234 (fax) | |