Cleanliness of water/lakes etc. in the Ontario region

[mira_johnson]

Thousand Island area is very pretty and lots of boat cruises. In the smaller areas you can go swimming off your boat but wouldn’t say that the area is an area really for swimming.

There are lots of lakes all over Canada. Not sure where you are located but the Laurentians and Muskoka areas have lots of lakes but there are many other areas. Many areas don’t have beaches though. You are swimming off a dock or walking on rocks.

Water tastes vary by municipality. The fluoride can be very beneficial for teeth especially for children. You can get a filtration system like a Brita pitcher but it is very wasteful to buy plastic water containers when the tap water is fine.

The St Lawrence river that leads to the ocean is a good place for whale watching but it is a very large shipping channel. Definitely not a place to swim.

Got ya. So the shipping-business is not really separated to the river where people might swim. What a shame, good for Canadian trade though. I heard there are tons of beautiful sandy beaches all over Ontario(?), perhaps not the smaller lakes.

 

[scylla]

I've lived in cities that didn't have this distinct chlorine taste, and I never heard of fluorine being added to the water ever. I still believe that people should be able to make conscious choices about their health. I wash my mouth with fluoride, and theres a reason why I would never swallow it. Sure there are trade offs with absolutely everything, but I'm not just concerned with Toronto here, I'm looking east north west, south for solutions for my "water"-problem/passion, and I'm willing to travel, at least for 2-3 hours for a day-trip for some clean water!

As an additional aside... The water in the city you grew up in or have spent the most time in likely has a taste / flavour based on where it comes from and how it's purified. You just don't taste it because that's what you're used to / have spent the most time drinking.

My husband is convinced his home town has the best tasting water. I find it very metallic tasting and don't like it - he can't taste the metal at all.

 

[canuck78]

I've lived in cities that didn't have this distinct chlorine taste, and I never heard of fluorine being added to the water ever. I still believe that people should be able to make conscious choices about their health. I wash my mouth with fluoride, and theres a reason why I would never swallow it. Sure there are trade offs with absolutely everything, but I'm not just concerned with Toronto here, I'm looking east north west, south for solutions for my "water"-problem/passion, and I'm willing to travel, at least for 2-3 hours for a day-trip for some clean water!

They took the fluoride out of the water in Windsor (maybe it was London) and the cavity rate increased a lot. We are talking about minuscule amounts not like mouthwash or dental treatments.


There are tons of lakes, rivers beaches around. Wasabi beach, elora gorge, muskoka, lots of lakes between Belleville and Kingston, etc.

Many of these lakes would require cottage access so make sure there is a public area. Google. You will find lots of examples.

 

[mira_johnson]

As an additional aside... The water in the city you grew up in or have spent the most time in likely has a taste / flavour based on where it comes from and how it's purified. You just don't taste it because that's what you're used to / have spent the most time drinking.

My husband is convinced his home town has the best tasting water. I find it very metallic tasting and don't like it - he can't taste the metal at all.

It's true what you say, familiar can make us blind. I also read that the amount of chloride they add is considerably more than what I am used to. But if one wouldn't swim in the water they drink, then its obvious that chloride or other bacteria-killing substance is crucial

 

[mira_johnson]

They took the fluoride out of the water in Windsor (maybe it was London) and the cavity rate increased a lot. We are talking about minuscule amounts not like mouthwash or dental treatments.


There are tons of lakes, rivers beaches around. Wasabi beach, elora gorge, muskoka, lots of lakes between Belleville and Kingston, etc.

Many of these lakes would require cottage access so make sure there is a public area. Google. You will find lots of examples.

Makes me wonder if theres anything in the water or substance used to clean the water that could cause cavities, used to balance it out? If not, I'll still agree to disagree. They researched level of cavities, but did they research the difference in overall physical health? If the goal is to drink 2-4 litres of water a day, I want to make sure the water I drink is totally safe for all of me, not just my teeth I'll look up the places you suggested, thank you for the info !

 

[Hurlabrick]

Loads of people swim regularly in Lake Erie (I am thinking in particular of Port Stanley) and of course Lake Huron (Georgian Bay) around Collingwood (Balm Beach, Wasaga, Wymbolwood, Woodland etc.).

 

[mira_johnson]

I gotta admit that when looking more closely at a map I'm realizing just how many lakes that must be existing nearby Toronto or at least in the Ontario region. So I guess one of the only and hardest pill to swallow is to get used to lakes rather than the ocean but as I mentioned earlier, Lake Huron truly stands out and is much larger and clearer than an average lake. The bigger question is probably how to get to these lakes by public transportation, but this is another forum thread Thank you guys for your inputs, I'll be checking in again if anyone have any more to add- I'll gladly accept as much information as possible

 

[canuck78]

I gotta admit that when looking more closely at a map I'm realizing just how many lakes that must be existing nearby Toronto or at least in the Ontario region. So I guess one of the only and hardest pill to swallow is to get used to lakes rather than the ocean but as I mentioned earlier, Lake Huron truly stands out and is much larger and clearer than an average lake. The bigger question is probably how to get to these lakes by public transportation, but this is another forum thread Thank you guys for your inputs, I'll be checking in again if anyone have any more to add- I'll gladly accept as much information as possible

Not sure why you are targeting the larger lakes. The smaller or medium ones are often nicer. Getting to lakes via public transportation will be quite difficult. Perhaps going to somewhere like wasaga beach. Would suggest you do the outing when you have access to a car or a friend with a car.

 

[Hurlabrick]

I gotta admit that when looking more closely at a map I'm realizing just how many lakes that must be existing nearby Toronto or at least in the Ontario region. So I guess one of the only and hardest pill to swallow is to get used to lakes rather than the ocean but as I mentioned earlier, Lake Huron truly stands out and is much larger and clearer than an average lake. The bigger question is probably how to get to these lakes by public transportation, but this is another forum thread Thank you guys for your inputs, I'll be checking in again if anyone have any more to add- I'll gladly accept as much information as possible

Swimming in the lakes from a proper beach is quite safe. If public transport is your issue, you could try the train from TO to Cobourg (west of TO on Lake Ontario), great beach and swimming. Or take the Greyhound bus from TO to Collingwood then a taxi to Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay.

 

[scylla]

I gotta admit that when looking more closely at a map I'm realizing just how many lakes that must be existing nearby Toronto or at least in the Ontario region. So I guess one of the only and hardest pill to swallow is to get used to lakes rather than the ocean but as I mentioned earlier, Lake Huron truly stands out and is much larger and clearer than an average lake. The bigger question is probably how to get to these lakes by public transportation, but this is another forum thread Thank you guys for your inputs, I'll be checking in again if anyone have any more to add- I'll gladly accept as much information as possible

Getting to places where you can swim requires a car. Forget about public transportation unless you're prepared to spend a lot of time and money.

 

[steaky]

I gotta admit that when looking more closely at a map I'm realizing just how many lakes that must be existing nearby Toronto or at least in the Ontario region. So I guess one of the only and hardest pill to swallow is to get used to lakes rather than the ocean but as I mentioned earlier, Lake Huron truly stands out and is much larger and clearer than an average lake. The bigger question is probably how to get to these lakes by public transportation, but this is another forum thread Thank you guys for your inputs, I'll be checking in again if anyone have any more to add- I'll gladly accept as much information as possible

But Ontario has direct access to the ocean - look north to James Bay!

 

[Hurlabrick]

But Ontario has direct access to the ocean - look north to James Bay!

Yeah, but a bit far for a day trip on public transport I suspect!

 

[canuck78]

But Ontario has direct access to the ocean - look north to James Bay!

Doubt most people know where James Bay is. Definitely would need a survival suit if you went swimming in James Bay.

Swimming in lakes is going to very difficult without a car. Enjoy the beaches in Toronto when they are safe.

 

[mira_johnson]

But Ontario has direct access to the ocean - look north to James Bay!

Hey steaky, How is James Bay on the ocean, isn't it on Lake Huron?

 

[mira_johnson]

Not sure why you are targeting the larger lakes. The smaller or medium ones are often nicer. Getting to lakes via public transportation will be quite difficult. Perhaps going to somewhere like wasaga beach. Would suggest you do the outing when you have access to a car or a friend with a car.

Smaller lakes always look more sketchy to me, like the still-standing waters and lack of space make them sick with bacterias and algaes more easily.
Does anyone have any experience with Parkbus or First student Canada bus lines in the summer? I heard they are going to nature-destinations like lakes, parks, trails, etc.?