Township of North Kawartha Resumes Free Well Water Sample Drop-off Program April 5 for County Residents
Written by Comms Team, March 31, 2022
Spring Melt Brings Higher Risk for Bacterial Contamination
Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and the Township of North Kawartha have made it easier for county residents to have their well water tested by offering free well water sample drop offs from spring to fall. This well water testing service is available at no charge to all permanent and seasonal residents in the Township of North Kawartha through a program with PPH.
Beginning Tuesday, April 5, 2022, water samples can be dropped off at the Municipal Office located at 280 Burleigh Street, Apsley, ON – just in time for the change in season to warmer weather and the return of seasonal residents.
“With snow melt and spring runoff, this is a good time of year to test your water as there is a higher risk of contamination,” said Chris Eaton, Public Health Inspector. “This is relevant for both drilled and dug wells, but is especially important for dug wells, as they are shallower and more susceptible to contamination. We are happy to partner with the Township of North Kawartha to make it easier for residents to monitor their water quality.”
Empty sample bottles can be picked up from the Municipal Office Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Filled sample bottles can then be dropped off Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and are couriered to the Public Health Lab in Peterborough for testing.
Samples must be collected within 24 hours of drop off at the Municipal Office to ensure they reach the lab and are processed in a timely manner. Residents are encouraged to carefully read the sampling and collection instructions included with each kit. Filled sample bottles should be delivered to the Municipal office at the front desk. Staff will then place it in a fridge until collected by the courier.
Drop off schedules may change for statutory holidays. For example, samples will not be accepted on Thursday, April 14 due to the Easter long weekend.
Water samples can also be dropped off at the following locations:
- Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office at 1 Ottawa Street, Havelock, from Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Municipality of Trent Lakes Administrative Office, 760 County Road 36, Trent Lakes, on the upper floor main entrance lobby on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Peterborough Public Health, 185 King Street, 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.
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory at 99 Hospital Drive weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. Total coliforms indicate the presence of general contamination such as surface runoff. E. coli indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material which may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but the young, elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals are at a higher risk.
Residents will receive water quality results by mail or can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. If you have questions about your test results, you can call the PPH Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232, for more information.
To find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms and E. coli, contact PPH at 705-743-1000, ext. 232 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for “well water safety”.
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For further information, please contact:
Chris Eaton
Public Health Inspector
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 225
OR
Amanda Smith
Secretary/Receptionist
Township of North Kawartha
705-656-4445 ext. 232