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Only test results that are carried out by the provincial public health laboratory or a private lab can tell you for sure.
When you submit a water sample it will be analyzed for the presence of “pathogens”. Pathogens are organisms that cause illness in humans.
When it comes to well water, pathogens of concern include certain forms of bacteria (E.coli 0157:H7), protozoa (Giardia) and viruses (Hepatitis A). While each of these organisms can lead to different illnesses of varying severity, there are some very unpleasant symptoms common to many, including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and low grade fevers.
Your well is your first line of defense against harmful organisms reaching your water supply. Maintain your well regularly and thoroughly – it’s easier to prevent problems than to fix them. To complete your well water safety routine, test your water regularly.
Click here for a list of many of the common contaminants that can be found in public and private drinking water supplies.
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To learn more about how to get rid of pathogens or other water contaminants, see "Deciding on a Home Water Treatment Device," or call the Health Unit at 625-5930 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, ext. 5930.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit offers free bacterial water testing for home and cottage owners. Just visit our 999 Balmoral Street office for a free water sample bottle. The sample can then be dropped off at the Public Health Laboratory for testing.
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Routine testing provides an early warning signal of potential problems. Water testing is recommended three times per year – spring, summer and fall for a drilled well, and four times a year for a dug well.
If you have not sampled your well for over a year, it is recommended that you begin your sampling program by taking three water samples each taken one week apart. This will allow you to determine the bacteriological water quality of your well.
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A well water test begins by obtaining the appropriate water-sampling bottle. This bottle contains a preservative and must not be rinsed. Water samples taken in mason jars, jam jars and plastic containers are not acceptable sampling bottles as the container itself may contaminate the water.
The form that is attached to the water-sampling bottle must be fully and accurately completed. Once taken, the water sample should be kept refrigerated and be dropped off as soon as possible to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis. The form will be mailed to you with your results directly from the Public Health Laboratory.
Public Health Inspectors are available to help you interpret your water results; discuss common water quality problems; possible causes; and, corrective action.
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It is important to keep a record of when you took water samples and maintenance of your water well and septic systems. Keeping track of this information can be useful especially if you decide to sell your property.
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