Well Water Testing Service Paused for Winter
Written by Communications, November 28, 2019
Service Resumes Spring 2020 in Two Northern County Townships
Peterborough Public Health and the Municipality of Trent Lakes and Township of North Kawartha are pausing their joint well water sample drop-off program for the winter. The final date for county residents to drop off their samples to the Trent Lakes Administration office and the Township of North Kawartha Administration office is Thursday, November 28, 2019.
Free well water drop-off service will return next year at both locations, early in April 2020 and will run until late November. Throughout the winter months, residents may drop off their samples at Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St. in Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Fridays, or at the Public Health Ontario Laboratory at 99 Hospital Drive between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
It is important to test well water a number of times throughout the year. “Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed. Water quality can change over time, so we recommend that residents test private wells three to four times a year to prevent health risks. We hope by making this testing service more accessible that residents will test their well water more regularly,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health Programs at Peterborough Public Health. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring so it’s easy for residents to submit well water tests.”
Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. The presence of E. coli indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These organisms can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but the young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.
After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or they can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. For a free consultation about water quality test results, call the Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232.
To find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms and E. coli, contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext. 232 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391