Water flows into your house, and you drink it, bathe in it, wash with it, but it’s the last thing on your mind.

So where does your water come from, anyway?

If you’re hooked up to the municipal water system, your water may be travelling up to 25 km. through antiquated pipes before it enters your house. In Toronto, for example, 40,000 houses still have lead pipe water service. And lead is a known health risk.

Some controversial substances are still added to tap water.

Chlorine and aluminum are added to water to kill microorganisms. Many scientists and doctors say these are toxins that endanger human health.

Water costs are going sky high.

Across Canada, the cost of water is rising every year. In Toronto, over the last 10 years water and sewage bills have more than doubled, rising by 9% annually. This cost is forecast to double again over the next seven years.

Take a closer look.

Outdated lead pipes can leach lead into the municipal water system. Chlorine and aluminum are added as a rule. Water can also contain hydrogen sulfide, mercury, copper, and nickel, as well as pesticides, algae, and bacteria.

Canada has only 7% of the world’s renewable fresh water.

That means we need to work harder to conserve it. And if we don’t, the cost is only going to rise even more steeply.