A Background and Explanation of Who and What We Are

The industry served by the Canadian Water Quality Association and its members encompass water quality improvement for homes, businesses, industry and institutions in these broad areas: drinking water and working water.

While it was formed in 1967, it received its federal charter as a not-for-profit trade association in 1960. CWQA stands as a unified voice for the Point-of-Use/Point-of-Entry (POU/POE) water quality improvement industry.

CWQA Mission Statement

Promotes the individual right to quality water; educates water quality professionals; promotes the growth of the water quality improvement industry; serves as a unified voice in government and public relations; provides a role in consumer education.

Canadian Water Quality Association members are kept in the forefront of the industry by way of the latest technical and scientific information acquired through laboratory testing and research studies. This information is disseminated to members through newsletters and special publications.

In this age of rapid development, education often spells the difference between progress and stagnation. CWQA offers a wide-range of educational programs.

CWQA provides close contact with federal regulatory and legislative officials. We not only warn of impending legislation, we act before laws are passed. We represent the industry before regulatory agencies such as Health Canada, Industry Canada and provincial ministries, such as Environment, Health and Consumer and Commercial Relations.

The association provides a role in educating consumers on quality water. The CWQA staff daily answer consumer questions. In addition, educational brochures and pamphlets are sent to them advising of various treatment methods available to solve specific water problems. As well, CWQA's public relations activities help to increase the awareness of the water treatment options, making consumers open to a source of generic product information.

Millions of Canadian households suffer some kind of correctable water problem. Hard water alone is found in 85% of Canadian homes, according to government sources. Other common water problems include excess iron, hydrogen sulphide gas ("rotten egg smell"), acidity and cloudy water.

Each of these problems can bring its own unpleasant effect into homes. Rusting and corroded pipes, clothing stains, bad tasting water and higher water heating bills are just a few of the possible results of problem water, which can affect the quality of life.

Many concerned people don't realize that each of these problems can be solved at the point-of-use or point-of-entry. Point-of-use (POU) refers to water quality improvement equipment installed to provide water to a single or several faucets, usually for drinking and cooking. Point-of-entry (POE), sometimes called 'Whole house" treatment, refers to water quality improvement equipment installed where the water enters the home or business, such as water softeners and whole house filters.

Today, there are more options than ever to choose from making it possible to obtain the quality of water desired. Future articles will help identify common water complaints and make an informed decision on possible solutions. Some of the problems to be discussed will include water hardness, iron, taste/odour and turbidity, hydrogen sulphide, nitrates, alkalinity, chlorides and sulphates, bacteria and more.