Free well water testing

Is your well water safe to drink… or to wash your vegetables, brush your teeth or bathe in? The only way to find out is by having your well water tested!

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) offers a free well water testing service to households that get their drinking water from a residential well. Your water may taste and look good, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe to drink. Bacteria in your water can make you very sick, lead to hospitalization and could even cause death.

The good news is getting your well water tested is easy and free! You can pick up and drop off a water test bottle at the EOHU office nearest you. Your water will be tested for indicator bacteria (E. coli and total coliforms) and the results will be sent to you by mail.

Water quality can change over time, or it can happen suddenly. Either way, you may not notice a change in look, taste or smell. That’s why your water should be tested at least three times a year, especially in early spring when melting snow may cause water run-off to enter your well. Testing your well water on a regular basis is the only way to ensure the quality and the safety of your drinking water. The test results help you to address specific problems and to avoid any potential contamination.

Be safe; get your well water tested today! For more information on well water testing, contact the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120 and ask for the Health Line. You can also visit our website at www.eohu.ca.

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