If you were to compare an ordinary glass of water with a glass of water from Elmwood Spa, the difference would be indiscernible. But the unseen qualities are what make our water so special. Water plays a huge role at Elmwood Spa; it is consumed, bathed in, cleansed with, and utilized during treatments. It is one of our defining features.

Our interest in providing the purest water for our guests came about when, during the early stages of our renovation, we were investigating the addition of our steam rooms.

At that time we discovered that substances in water get vapourized during the steaming process and that there’s a whole lot of “stuff” in the water that, during the steaming process, is inhaled or absorbed through the skin. As we consulted with specialists – medical doctors, chiropractors and naturopaths, we came to the conclusion that having purified water would provide an important advantage for our guests.

This is why we felt it essential to install a custom water filtration system as part of the recently-completed renovations. A reverse-osmosis and a carbon filtration system were installed at the source in 2005, courtesy of Water Tiger in Victoria, B.C. an industry leader in water purification systems. This system ensures that all water entering our sumptuously refurbished facility at 18 Elm St., has been filtered and purified, before it is poured from the tap.

Having a state-of the-art water filtration system supports our long-standing interest in seeing that the guest environment, including our water supply, is the cleanest and healthiest it can be.

Let’s take a closer look

The advantage of having a reverse-osmosis system is that we can deliver purified water to our water features, spa treatment equipment, our second floor Juice Bar, and adjoining Bangkok Garden restaurant kitchen and bar areas. The reverse-osmosis filtration process involves an ion exchange (a form of water conversion at the molecular level), one which effectively eliminates pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, fluorides, arsenic, and other industrial trace chemicals.

All remaining areas of the spa receive water that is carbon-filtered. As with reverse-osmosis, this water is free of harmful chemicals, yet it retains the beneficial trace elements and minerals that our bodies require.

To ensure a proper pH level, water-softening ‘salt’ is routinely poured into the main filter to avoid the production of ‘hard’ water post-filtration, and also serves to regenerate the resin in the filter. Water-softening is the only real maintenance measure required for this system. It is otherwise self-sufficient and requires little upkeep thanks to the elimination of water-borne bacteria, fungi, or mineral build-up. In addition, our water filtration system eliminates the need for bottled water, thus reducing our carbon footprint.

H20 Awareness

Today’s public is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of water quality, and are alert as to what impurities or imbalances are characteristic of unfiltered water. People are also discovering the benefits of hydration, for the skin’s appearance and vitality and for our inner health and well-being.

Because water transports oxygen to the brain, helps to hydrate the body, and flushes out toxins, it is important to drink plenty of water so that our organs can properly function – we need about 2.4 litres of water per day. If we become de-hydrated, we may suffer from headaches, dizziness or lethargy. And skin loses its elasticity! When our bodies are well-hydrated we feel better and we look better. Being well-hydrated minimizes the signs of aging.

From the services we create and deliver, to our products and our amenities, Elmwood Spa aspires to exceed guest expectations – and that extends to the quality of our water. While many of our guests are not aware of it, our purified and filtered water is an important aspect of the spa experience we offer. In our own way, Elmwood Spa continues the tradition of destination spas where spa-goers travelled abroad to “take the waters.” We cordially invite you to experience the difference that purified water makes, as we support you on your personal journey towards health and well-being.