Well Water Testing Service Paused for Winter
Written by Communications, November 27, 2018
Service at Trent Lakes Administration Office Resumes Spring 2019
Peterborough Public Health and the Municipality of Trent Lakes 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 is Thursday, November 29, 2018.
It is important to test your well water a number of times throughout the year. “Water quality changes over time, that’s why we recommend testing 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 the Manager of Environmental Health Programs at Peterborough Public Health. “We look forward to resuming our work with the Municipality in the spring.”
When the free well water drop-off service returns next year, the season will run from Tuesday, April 2, 2019, to Thursday, November 28, 2019. Throughout the winter months, residents may drop off their samples at Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., 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.
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.
Residents will receive water quality results by mail or you can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. If you have questions about water quality test results, you can call the Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232, for a free consultation.
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