The rising levels of nitrate in Ontario’s watersheds, including the Grand River, is a serious issue for the whole province, Mayor Kevin Davis said.
Davis said the nitrate concentration is threatening both the city's water supply and the ecosystem of one of Ontario's major rivers.
The Grand River, a key water source for Brantford, has experienced a troubling increase in nitrate concentrations over the past decade. While summer levels generally remain at 2-3 milligrams per litre (mg/L), winter averages have climbed from 6 mg/L in the early 2010s to nearly 9 mg/L in 2025. The provincial limit for safe drinking water is 10 mg/L.