Well Water Testing

Water sample drop-off locations:

1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON

519-631-9900

• All day Monday or Tuesday before 11:30am. Water samples sent to the Public Health Lab at 1:00pm on Tuesdays.
• All day Wednesday or Thursday before 11:30am. Water samples sent to the Public Health Lab at 1:00pm on Thursdays.

• Please ensure your water sample is taken within 24-hours of submission.  This will ensure that your water sample is not more than 48-hours old before it reaches the lab for testing.

410 Buller Street, Woodstock, ON

519-421-9901

Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Friday 8:30am - 11:00am

• The lab courier picks up from this office every day Monday - Friday at 11:00am (holidays can affect this schedule)
• Please ensure your water sample is taken within 24-hours of submission.  This will ensure that your water sample is not more than 48-hours old before it reaches the lab for testing.

Ontario Public Health Lab - London

Unit 102-1200 Commissioners Road East, London, ON 

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

519-455-9310

Regional laboratory sites: Designated refrigerator/cooler with ice packs have been made available to clients away from the laboratory area and staff (e.g., lobby/vestibule).  Touch surfaces will be cleaned/disinfected often.

Tillsonburg 

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (Information desk)

167 Rolph St.
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 8:00pm

NOTE: Samples are picked up by the lab courier Monday - Friday at approximately 6:45am.

• Please ensure your water sample is taken within 24-hours of submission.  This will ensure that your water sample is not more than 48-hours old before it reaches the lab for testing.

Alexandra Hospital (Switchboard)

29 Noxon St. Ingersoll

Monday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00am

NOTE: Samples are picked up by the lab courier Monday - Friday at approximately 12 noon.

• Please ensure your water sample is taken within 24-hours of submission.  This will ensure that your water sample is not more than 48-hours old before it reaches the lab for testing.

Sinden Feed & Seed Inc.

15 Main Street, Princeton

First Wednesday of every month ONLY 8:30am -10:30am

Understanding your results

Learn more about what the results of your water test mean

How to disinfect a contaminated well

Drinking water is usually obtained from the groundwater table through the establishment of a dug well constructed of concrete tile rings, a drilled well, or a sandpoint well - the latter two being constructed of steel piping. In order to protect your well, contaminated water from tile drains, livestock operations and roof eaves must be directed away from it.

Water in a dug well which is of brick construction, is susceptible to contamination unless the joints between each course of brick are sealed (down to a depth of 3 m or 10 feet).

Refer to the Well Disinfection Tool for information on how to disinfect a contaminated well.

Well water frequently asked questions

How can I obtain water well records for the well(s) on my property?

If your well was reported to the ministry when it was constructed, you can get its record from the Ministry of the Environment. Call the Ministry at 1-888-396-WELL for a certified copy of your record(s). A search charge of $20.00 is applicable.

Once you have the records for a well, note the information on its construction, the static water level at the time of construction, the specific capacity of the well, and the pump setting depth. Then note any changes that have occurred since it was built. The information contained in your record may serve as good baseline information in the assessment of your site specific conditions.

How do I get the results of my water test?

Options for obtaining test results:

TELEPHONE (within four to five business days if sample dropped off at location other than the Public Health Lab)

The toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-723-3426 Key in the barcode number from the sample bottle (PIN) to hear an automated message with your test results and interpretation

MAIL

If you indicated on the form that you want the report mailed or made no choice, the report will be mailed to the name and address written on the form

EMAIL (within two to four business days)

Send an email to customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca and include:

• the timeframe of results you are looking for and sample barcode(s) if available
• address of the water source - include street number and street name or lot and concession number, the township/municipality, county and postal code

How long does it take for my water sample to be tested?The tests take 24 hours from the time the samples reach the lab.I'm using more water than I have in the past. Can this affect my water supply?

Yes. Water shortages are sometimes a direct result of increased water usage.

When a well is built there is a calculated maximum safe yield that it can produce. Pump and pressure systems are selected to match the specific capabilities of the well. If water demand increases, and exceeds the maximum safe yield of the well, problems are likely, including water shortages. You can find out if this is the cause of the problem by checking the well’s static water level.

Is it okay to add surface water or rain water to my well?

Adding water to your well is not recommended.

It could contaminate your supply, and will not alleviate your water shortage problems during drought conditions. If you have added any water of unknown quality, or suspect the quality of the water in your well, you should have the water tested immediately to make sure it is safe to drink.

Should the top of my well be visible?

A well must always be visible to ensure easy access if remedial work to the pump, or other emergency work, must be done immediately.

You should determine the exact location of the well if you do not already know where it is. This will help when you need to replace any pumping or other equipment. It is advisable to have the casing raised to a minimum height of 40 cm above the ground surface.

Can yard or construction work in the around my well affect water quality?Development in the vicinity of your well, such as paving or building construction, could affect the ground surface around your well. The ability of the ground to absorb water may be impaired.What are my responsibilities regarding wells on my property?

Well owners are obliged to maintain all wells on their properties.

If a well is not being properly maintained, the well owner must have it plugged. Secure caps and lids must be maintained on the top of any well which is not plugged. If you are unsure of the condition of the well cap or lid, have it inspected by qualified personnel and have it replaced or upgraded if necessary. This is to help protect and preserve ground water resources and minimize safety risks. Regulation 903 details all requirements regarding well construction, maintenance and abandonment.

What does well water testing cost through Public Health?The testing offered by Public Health is free at this time.My water has a strong sulphur smell, can it be dangerous?

The smell of sulphur does not indicate a health hazard.

Rather, the smell is considered an aesthetic inconvenience. Technologies, such as greensand filters, are available to remove sulphur odour. These filters are designed primarily to remove iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide from water. You may wish to contact a qualified water treatment specialist to discuss your options.

What should I do if my water pressure is low or I have a water shortage from my well?

If this is the first time you have experienced a water shortage, you should check your pump and pressure system for mechanical failure. You should also check your water level, and start keeping a record of water levels in your well.

If you have experienced water shortages in the past, try to remember if they happened during local or regional dry conditions. If not, water shortages may indicate problems associated with your well or pump/pressure system or to the size of the aquifer that your well taps into.

How often should I test my well water?

It is recommended that you test your well water three times during the year.

The first time you test, you should take three consecutive samples, each one week apart.