It has a plastic spout, pouring out into a creek. It looks like it’s in good condition, not sure if someone is looking after it though. People in the area do drink from it (and me!).
From Mo Rosati: I returned here Nov 12, 09 to get some readings. All indicators tells me this water source is an artesian well also ( though it might be natural instead of man-made like Ancaster Arestian Well ). On the west side I measured TDS 334, pH 7.53, temp 8.4C on the east side I measured TDS 355, pH 7.38, temp 6.9C. Compare this to Ancaster TDS 190, pH 8.14. I took a water sample of Belfountain and it came back ZERO on both Total Coliform & E. Coli, same as the Ancaster source, so they are BOTH very clean ( more info: https://bit.ly/Es26R ). Compare this to TRUE natural spring eg. TDS: 23 Temp: 6.7 C pH: 5.58
Nearest Address
Winston Churchill Blvd. and Bush St., Belfountain, Ontario
Directions from Nearest Address
Once you get to the intersection of Winston Churchill and Bush, go NORTH (not south on the map below) and the road will go down a hill. There will be a guard rail on both sides. The spring is located on the left side (west) and at the end of the rail (to the north). Go down the hill off the road and she’s waiting for you! Enjoy!
Spring is not at the location it says. Had fun trying to find the place, lol
There’s 2 intersections. 1 going south and just further down from location that’s marked, there’s an intersection going north. You know it’s the right one when you see a wooded area on both sides with a guard rail on either side. It’s at the far end of rails and there’s well at both sides. Ice cold and I m not sure if it’s clean. Don t have much experience with spring water. I m bringing a bottle home to the wife. She’ll know, lol
We went here today…no weird sewage smell as someone earlier this year indicated. There were heaps of signs on both sides of the road “No Sewage Plant”. Water tasted great and very clean and cold/crisp, Yum! We’re boiling just to be on the safe side as someone earlier this month (Aug ’21) indicated that there were not the best results. Hoping it’s safe and stays as such.
I went there today and couldnt find it … any more details you could share about finding it, I parked across the street and walked across to directly across from the intersection … there is a rocky section beyond a fence at the bottom of the hill … Help …
I went there last week and collected a couple jugs. Water is crisp and very cold. Excellent! I did not test it though. But that’s all I’ve been drinking for a week and I’m fine! It was jard to find though. Once you spot it, it will be easier when you go back.
For the past several months I have been coming to this spring and enjoying the water.
But, since collecting water yesterday (on July 27th 2018) and drinking it today (July 28th), my friend and I have both experienced symptoms of cramping in our lower bellies.
After drinking the water this morning, within 10-15mins I experienced noticeable and uncomfortable cramping which lasted about 20mins until it went away.
I am led to believe that the water has become slightly contaminated.
If anybody is able to do some testing on this particular spring, it would greatly appreciated. I will also be looking into this matter myself.
My Husband and I found out about this spring only in May 2017. Since then we are using it regularly. We love it, taste, crispiness etc. We coming there from Caledon, every 2-3 weeks. Anyone knows what is happening during winter months? Does it freeze? Thank you everyone for comments – very helpful.
Its good to read the comments to find it. Its not on the corner of Bush st and Winston Churchill where some people look for it. Its on Winston Churchill, 500 m north of Bush st. on both sides of the road. Is there a way to verify it is a spring water? Water is coming from pipes (culverts?) under the road which looks like it was installed to prevent water from creeks to flow on the road.
I am a Belfountain spring drinker from Brampton. been getting this spring water – on & off – for quite a few years as do other people from Caledon we know. Since fall 2016 am getting it regularly in various larger & smaller glass & plastic containers. It’s beautiful, good, clear, refreshing water every season. Appreciate Jim’s Sept.2014 & March 2015 comments re. testing this water. Often meet other users from all kinds of places (Georgetown, Mississauga, Brampton,etc.) getting this water for a longer or shorter time – all very pleased with it, as my wife & I am.
Our supply lasts about 1 month -getting ready to get another supply this week. We use it for drinking & cooking.
Gathered about 25L from here this past weekend. Have been drinking it for about a week now and feel fine. The water tastes delicious and refreshing.
I’d love to know the history of how this spring came about, who set it up, was the original purpose for drinking, etc. I tried finding more information but the internet doesn’t appear to have much.
I have been drinking water from this spring since 1980. I take extra bottles with me whenever I travel anywhere near there. Divine water, no wonder Nestles’ is trying to take it all.
Just thought I’d pop in to say that I visited this spring on Sunday (Mar 20) and the TDS reading was 348 from west side. Water was cold and clear and tasted good.
I just wanted to send my grateful thanks for doing this testing Jim, both the MMS test and the bacteria test. It’s been a few years since I’ve been at this spring but am heading there tomorrow. I’ve always loved this water and am really excited to get a taste of it again, and to know it is well within safety limits of heavy metal and free of bacteria, that couldn’t be better news. You’ve done all of us who love this water a big favour. So, with gratitude, thank you Jim!
Well, in reference to metals, minerals and salts (MMS), it appears this water is very safe to drink. The only exceedances were in sodium and total water hardness (calcium carbonate). The guide limit for sodium is 20 mg/L and this water tested at 30.9. The guide limit for calcium carbonate is 80-100 mg/L and this water tested at 254. However, some may regard the extra calcium as a dietary benefit. Regarding the most worrisome heavy metals (Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Thallium, Uranium and Zinc), they were all well below the Guideline/Standard of Ontario Regulation 169/03. I may decide to test for VOCs at a later date. But in the meantime, happy drinking folks.
thanks for you analysis, it lead me to harvest some today! it still tests great and looks crystal clear, but are there any updates regarding this spring?
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the offer. I’ve settled on AGAT Labs in Mississauga since it is close and therefore no shipping fees are required. March is a very busy month for me but my plan is to pick up the testing bottles this Monday Mar 16 and hopefully get them filled and submitted for testing on Mar 19 or 20. Cost for the MMS test is $250 plus HST plus $2 disposal fee per sample. I really have no choice here since my son and I as well as my girlfriend and her daughter are planning on using this as our sole drinking source.
Hi Dee,
My contact at Toronto Water says that they can’t do any private testing and that their expertise lies with Lake Ontario water rather than rural ground water. He referred me to Maxxam Labs in Mississauga but they told me they no longer do private testing. They referred me to the Ontario Ground Water Association. It turns out they do test private water samples but the costs are significant. They are as follows:
Metals, minerals & salts (MMS) – $132
Fuels – $185
Solvents – $110
Pesticides – $275
There is also a $1.75 disposal fee per sample, a $25 shipping fee and $50 admin fee. And of course HST on everything.
From what I gather, if the source here is indeed an artesian well, the MMS test would be most applicable to this type of water supply. Here’s what they say about it…
“Detailed general chemistry package; all wells should be screened for these impurities. This package tests more than 40 parameters. It is a good general chemistry water testing package providing well owners with a detailed understanding of impurities that may be in their water because of rock or surrounding land uses. It includes hardness, iron and heavy metals.”
So there you have it. Wouldn’t it be great if all the users could pool together and spring for the test costs? (Puns intended)
I took a sample on Sep 3, 2014 and submitted it to the Public Health Ontario lab in Hamilton. It was analyzed on Sep 4, read on Sep 5, and came back zero Coliform and zero E. coli. I’m going to see if I can get it tested for chemical impurities as well.
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Frank
Spring is not at the location it says. Had fun trying to find the place, lol
There’s 2 intersections. 1 going south and just further down from location that’s marked, there’s an intersection going north. You know it’s the right one when you see a wooded area on both sides with a guard rail on either side. It’s at the far end of rails and there’s well at both sides. Ice cold and I m not sure if it’s clean. Don t have much experience with spring water. I m bringing a bottle home to the wife. She’ll know, lol
Has any one used this well recently or tested it recently? Is it safe to drink at the moment?
We went here today…no weird sewage smell as someone earlier this year indicated. There were heaps of signs on both sides of the road “No Sewage Plant”. Water tasted great and very clean and cold/crisp, Yum! We’re boiling just to be on the safe side as someone earlier this month (Aug ’21) indicated that there were not the best results. Hoping it’s safe and stays as such.
I went there today and couldnt find it … any more details you could share about finding it, I parked across the street and walked across to directly across from the intersection … there is a rocky section beyond a fence at the bottom of the hill … Help …
I went there last week and collected a couple jugs. Water is crisp and very cold. Excellent! I did not test it though. But that’s all I’ve been drinking for a week and I’m fine! It was jard to find though. Once you spot it, it will be easier when you go back.
Has anyone been to the spring recently? I just went this morning for the first time. Just unsure if the water has been tested recently.
For the past several months I have been coming to this spring and enjoying the water.
But, since collecting water yesterday (on July 27th 2018) and drinking it today (July 28th), my friend and I have both experienced symptoms of cramping in our lower bellies.
After drinking the water this morning, within 10-15mins I experienced noticeable and uncomfortable cramping which lasted about 20mins until it went away.
I am led to believe that the water has become slightly contaminated.
If anybody is able to do some testing on this particular spring, it would greatly appreciated. I will also be looking into this matter myself.
My Husband and I found out about this spring only in May 2017. Since then we are using it regularly. We love it, taste, crispiness etc. We coming there from Caledon, every 2-3 weeks. Anyone knows what is happening during winter months? Does it freeze? Thank you everyone for comments – very helpful.
Its good to read the comments to find it. Its not on the corner of Bush st and Winston Churchill where some people look for it. Its on Winston Churchill, 500 m north of Bush st. on both sides of the road. Is there a way to verify it is a spring water? Water is coming from pipes (culverts?) under the road which looks like it was installed to prevent water from creeks to flow on the road.
I am a Belfountain spring drinker from Brampton. been getting this spring water – on & off – for quite a few years as do other people from Caledon we know. Since fall 2016 am getting it regularly in various larger & smaller glass & plastic containers. It’s beautiful, good, clear, refreshing water every season. Appreciate Jim’s Sept.2014 & March 2015 comments re. testing this water. Often meet other users from all kinds of places (Georgetown, Mississauga, Brampton,etc.) getting this water for a longer or shorter time – all very pleased with it, as my wife & I am.
Our supply lasts about 1 month -getting ready to get another supply this week. We use it for drinking & cooking.
Any idea if this spring is healthy to drink as of 2018? Thanks!
Got about 20L from the west side. Water tastes really good!
Thank you for all your comments, what a great website!
Thought this would help people find it better: https://s23.postimg.org/ggnqy3inv/Screen_Shot_2017_01_11_at_2_34_05_PM.png
Has anyone tested this recently?
Gathered about 25L from here this past weekend. Have been drinking it for about a week now and feel fine. The water tastes delicious and refreshing.
I’d love to know the history of how this spring came about, who set it up, was the original purpose for drinking, etc. I tried finding more information but the internet doesn’t appear to have much.
I have been drinking water from this spring since 1980. I take extra bottles with me whenever I travel anywhere near there. Divine water, no wonder Nestles’ is trying to take it all.
My husband and I just harvested some water here last weekend. Water is cold, crisp and super hydrating! 🙂
Just thought I’d pop in to say that I visited this spring on Sunday (Mar 20) and the TDS reading was 348 from west side. Water was cold and clear and tasted good.
You’re very welcome Kerry!
I just wanted to send my grateful thanks for doing this testing Jim, both the MMS test and the bacteria test. It’s been a few years since I’ve been at this spring but am heading there tomorrow. I’ve always loved this water and am really excited to get a taste of it again, and to know it is well within safety limits of heavy metal and free of bacteria, that couldn’t be better news. You’ve done all of us who love this water a big favour. So, with gratitude, thank you Jim!
Well, in reference to metals, minerals and salts (MMS), it appears this water is very safe to drink. The only exceedances were in sodium and total water hardness (calcium carbonate). The guide limit for sodium is 20 mg/L and this water tested at 30.9. The guide limit for calcium carbonate is 80-100 mg/L and this water tested at 254. However, some may regard the extra calcium as a dietary benefit. Regarding the most worrisome heavy metals (Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Thallium, Uranium and Zinc), they were all well below the Guideline/Standard of Ontario Regulation 169/03. I may decide to test for VOCs at a later date. But in the meantime, happy drinking folks.
thanks for you analysis, it lead me to harvest some today! it still tests great and looks crystal clear, but are there any updates regarding this spring?
Hi JIm, did you ever test for VOC’s?
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the offer. I’ve settled on AGAT Labs in Mississauga since it is close and therefore no shipping fees are required. March is a very busy month for me but my plan is to pick up the testing bottles this Monday Mar 16 and hopefully get them filled and submitted for testing on Mar 19 or 20. Cost for the MMS test is $250 plus HST plus $2 disposal fee per sample. I really have no choice here since my son and I as well as my girlfriend and her daughter are planning on using this as our sole drinking source.
Thanks Jim for doing that. Can you let us know what your findings are from the chemical impurities test.
Thnx
Hi Dee,
My contact at Toronto Water says that they can’t do any private testing and that their expertise lies with Lake Ontario water rather than rural ground water. He referred me to Maxxam Labs in Mississauga but they told me they no longer do private testing. They referred me to the Ontario Ground Water Association. It turns out they do test private water samples but the costs are significant. They are as follows:
Metals, minerals & salts (MMS) – $132
Fuels – $185
Solvents – $110
Pesticides – $275
There is also a $1.75 disposal fee per sample, a $25 shipping fee and $50 admin fee. And of course HST on everything.
From what I gather, if the source here is indeed an artesian well, the MMS test would be most applicable to this type of water supply. Here’s what they say about it…
“Detailed general chemistry package; all wells should be screened for these impurities. This package tests more than 40 parameters. It is a good general chemistry water testing package providing well owners with a detailed understanding of impurities that may be in their water because of rock or surrounding land uses. It includes hardness, iron and heavy metals.”
So there you have it. Wouldn’t it be great if all the users could pool together and spring for the test costs? (Puns intended)
Hey Jim!
I just moved into the area and would love to check in on the Belfountain spring. Let me know if I can do anything to help!
Jess
I took a sample on Sep 3, 2014 and submitted it to the Public Health Ontario lab in Hamilton. It was analyzed on Sep 4, read on Sep 5, and came back zero Coliform and zero E. coli. I’m going to see if I can get it tested for chemical impurities as well.