Ottawa
Canada · North America
The water
21 mg/LSoft
Source: City of Ottawa, 2025 plant summaries (Britannia and Lemieux Island) · Official figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What soft water does to hair
Lathers easily, rinses clean. Can leave fine hair limp and flyaway; conditioners feel heavier.
The washing routine for Ottawa
Wash as you would at home in soft water: there is no mineral load to manage. Go easy on rich conditioners, which can weigh hair down here, and reach for volume at the roots if fine hair sits flat.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): July is the warmest month, averaging 27°C by day, and humidity peaks in December at about 78% on average. Day to night swings reach 12°C, which dries hair out between washes; the plan adds moisture and a sealing leave-in when a stop spans those months. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type A and B. Supply: 120 V, 60 Hz.
Full sockets by the sink are standard (the Canadian Electrical Code requires one within a metre of the basin, GFCI protected).
A dryer or styler wound for 230 V only will run weak on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you travel.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Ottawa properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.