The Most Hydrated Canadian Provinces

Beyond making up about 60% of our bodies and being essential to our survival, water plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. From aiding in digestion and regulating body temperature to protecting sensitive tissues and cushioning joints, water is quite literally the elixir of life.

At Mr. Rooter, we understand the significance of clean, reliable drinking water which is why we set out to learn more about the water consumption habits in Canada. We surveyed 550 Canadians from 10 provinces to find out how much water they drink, which types of water they most prefer, and the other water-drinking-related preferences they might have.

How Much Water Do Canadians Drink in Every Province?

To begin our study on hydration in Canada, we wanted to get an approximation of how much water Canadians drink. We asked people from 10 provinces how much water they drink daily and compared that to how much they’re supposed to drink.

General guidance on water intake varies based on factors like activity level and individual characteristics but it is roughly 3,194 mL of water per day. We’ll assume that about 20% of that intake (about 640 mL) comes from foods and another 950 mL comes from other drinks, so the target water intake for direct consumption we’ll be using is about 1,372 mL per day.

Let’s take a look at the most and least hydrated Canadian provinces.

The Thousand mL Club

Four provinces report drinking more than 1,000 mL of water per day. Saskatchewan is the most hydrated province with an average daily intake of 1,233 mL, which is still only about 90% of our target of 1,372. Alberta (1,152 mL), Manitoba (1,070 mL), and Prince Edward Island (1,066 mL) follow, all of which consume over 75% of our daily water-drinking target. Even the most hydrated regions could stand to drink an extra glass or two.

Middle of the Pack

British Columbia (956 mL), Quebec (939 mL), and Newfoundland and Labrador (875 mL) are the most moderately-hydrated provinces. All three come in with an of about 65% to 70% of our daily direct water consumption target of 1,372 mL.

Needs Improvement

Three provinces in our study fall well short compared to the rest when it comes to staying hydrated. Ontario (840 mL), New Brunswick (840 mL), and Nova Scotia (797 mL) all fall somewhere between 58% and 61% of our daily water intake approximation.

No matter where you live, drinking plenty of water is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. If there’s one thing Wayne (Jared Keeso) of the hit Crave TV show Letterkenny taught us, it’s that you gotta stay hydrated.

The Water-Drinking Habits of Canadians

We’ve seen how much water consumption varies across provinces, but the average Canadian consumes approximately 982 mL of water per day with women averaging about 911 mL and men slightly higher at 1,079 mL. Let’s take a closer look at how Canadians prefer to drink their water.

Only 4 in 10 Canadians want their water to be served with ice, which makes sense when you consider that 29% told us they prefer their water to be at room temperature.

When it comes to drinking water sources, tap water is the most common with 52% of Canadians citing it as their primary source. Spring (bottled) water and purified water follow, with 20% and 18% opting for those options, respectively. Furthermore, a significant 80% of Canadians claim they can discern the difference in taste when consuming water from different sources, so make sure you’re offering the right kind of water to your guests.

One-third of Canadians admit to only drinking water because they feel like they’re supposed to, rather than because they actually want to. That could be a driving factor behind the lack of sufficient intake we covered earlier in the study. Even still, 79% of Canadians own a reusable water bottle to help them drink more water during the day.

Finally, we asked about bottled water brands. Nestle Pure Water emerges as the top choice among Canadians, with 19% preferring it. Aquafina (18%) and Dasani (14%) follow closely behind. You should also find out your pal’s brand preference next time you stop at a petrol station because 3 in 4 Canadians believe they can taste the difference between bottled water brands.

Closing Thoughts

Hydration is important. Whether you’re from the more amply-hydrated Saskatchewan or the potentially dehydrated Nova Scotia, it’s evident that there’s room for improvement in ensuring that Canadians meet recommended daily water intake levels. After all, staying properly hydrated is a key part of living a healthy life.

At Mr. Rooter, our commitment to plumbing excellence extends beyond fixing leaks and unclogging drains; it encompasses promoting the overall wellness of your home’s plumbing system. So if you’re like the majority of Canadians who prefer the convenience of getting their water right out of the tap, a whole house water filter system could be just what you need.

Methodology

To determine the Canadian provinces that drink the most water, we surveyed 550 Canadians over a two-week period in February 2024. We asked respondents how much water they typically drink on an average day and compared that to daily recommendations after accounting for the water they consume through foods and other beverages.

We also got insights into how Canadians feel about drinking water generally, if the water tastes different depending on the source, and which brands they’re most likely to turn to at the convenience store.