"YOU ASKED" - we are on a septic sytem and get our drinking water from a well so how often should the water be tested?

Analysis of your drinking water is a free service in Ontario, Canada.  If you have a septic system and also get your drinking water from a well the water should be sampled as follows:

• after every heavy rainfall
• after flooding
• each new season (spring, summer, fall & winter)
• if you have a seasonal home or cottage sample before you begin using the water for drinking and cooking

Note:  it is important to continue to sample the water based on the above frequencies as conditions can change overtime; do not get complacent (1 sample once a year is not enough)

To establish that you have water that is free from harmful bacteria such as E. Coli  your water needs to be sampled 3 times in a row, one week apart from each of the samples.

Only cold water that has run for several minutes should be sampled; the sample must be collected in a special bottle provided free of charge by the province; the sample should be kept cold until it reaches the lab or drop off location and must reach the provincial lab within 48 hours of having been taken.

Call your local public health unit to find out:

• where to obtain the sample bottles
• drop off locations and hours of business