Public Health Ontario tests water samples submitted by households that draw their drinking water from privately owned systems/sources, such as wells, treated lake water, and cisterns.
Samples are tested at a Public Health Ontario (PHO) laboratory in London, Ont., for the presence of bacterial indicators of contamination, namely:
• Total coliforms –bacteria often found in animal waste, sewage, soil, and vegetation.
• E. coli – bacteria normally found in the digestive systems of people and animals.
The program does not test for other contaminants, such as chemicals. |
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Samples must be received by the PHO lab and tested within 48 hours of the sample being taken.
Sample courier pick up at the Municipal Office is at 12:14pm each Wednesday.
Residents should, if possible, take and drop off samples the morning of the courier pickup day – but before the courier is scheduled to arrive – or, at the latest, on the afternoon before the courier pickup day.
NEWLY ESTABLISHED COURIER ROUTES IN GREY-BRUCE
In collaboration with local municipalities, Grey Bruce Public Health has developed a local service to allow residents to both pick up water sample collection kits and drop off completed samples at 14 strategically placed locations in Grey-Bruce.
The Bruce County route will include a stop at the Arran-Elderslie Municipal Office which will be serviced by a local courier each Wednesday, starting Oct. 4, 2023.
A PHO courier will then gather the collected samples and transport them to the PHO lab for testing.
Along with the once-weekly pick-up sites, a PHO courier will continue to collect submitted water samples from the Grey Bruce Public Health building in Owen Sound each weekday. Water samples will also be picked up by the PHO courier five days a week from the Walkerton location.
TAKING AND SUBMITTING WATER SAMPLES
GBPH recommends households on wells or other private systems test their water at least three times a year, after any work is done to their system, and after significant weather events, such as a fast thaw or severe rainstorm.
Residents are advised to review the courier schedule to ensure they are properly timing when to take and submit water samples.
Residents should carefully follow PHO’s step-by-step instructions for collecting well water samples. They are available on the sample submission form and online at the following link:
Taking a Well Water Sample.
Residents should also ensure the accompanying paperwork is filled out completely and accurately.
Water samples should be kept cool until they are delivered to a drop-off location. Refrigerators are available at each drop-off site.
PHO provides test results directly to the resident(s) who submitted the sample, either by mail or telephone. Grey Bruce Public Health does not provide these results.
Anyone requiring assistance with interpreting sample results or additional questions can contact Grey Bruce Public Health at 519-376-9420 and selecting Option 4.
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