City of Brantford implemented four new reverse osmosis (RO) units at the municipality’s water treatment plant on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
The units will help proactively address elevated nitrate levels in the Grand River, the source of the City’s drinking water. While nitrate levels in the City’s water supply have never exceeded the Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) of 10 mg/L, seasonal trends and runoff from upstream sources can result in elevated levels during the winter and early spring months. These increases are largely due to upstream agricultural runoff, livestock operations, and wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Grand River or its tributaries. During colder months, reduced biological activity in the river slows the natural uptake of nitrogen, further increasing the potential for nitrate accumulation.
This significant infrastructure enhancement of implementing reverse osmosis units reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, high-quality drinking water to our residents. Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective methods of removing nitrates from water. The technology works by using high pressure to push water through a specialized semipermeable membrane that removes contaminants, including nitrates.
“Implementing a system of this scale typically takes up to five months,” said Selvi Kongara, City of Brantford Director of Environmental Services. “Thanks to the dedicated, around-the-clock efforts of Water Operations staff, we fast-tracked the commissioning and installation process in just six weeks. We are already seeing positive results, with the units effectively reducing nitrate levels in the City’s drinking water.”
Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, addressed the improvements to the water treatment plant.
“The health and safety of our residents is always the City’s top priority, and I am incredibly proud of our City staff for working with such diligence and urgency to deliver this critical project ahead of schedule. Their efforts ensure that our drinking water continues to meet the highest standards of safety and reliability,” said Davis.
Reverse osmosis will serve as an important short-term mitigation measure while the City continues to advance long-term solutions, including groundwater blending and broader upgrades to our water treatment infrastructure.
Brantford’s water supply is rigorously tested multiple times a day to ensure it meets or exceeds all provincial drinking water standards. The City’s water has never exceeded the nitrate threshold and remains safe to drink for all residents. For more information about nitrates related to drinking water and the City’s ongoing efforts to proactively protect the City’s water supply, please visit brantford.ca/nitrate or contact the City at 519-759-4150.
