1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
519-631-9900
Please avoid wearing scented products when visiting Southwestern Public Health.
Well water quality can change throughout the year, and after certain events such as heavy rainfall or flooding. It is recommended that well water be tested at least three times a year.
Free well water testing is available to private residences year-round. Water samples are submitted to the London Public Health Laboratory where they are tested for E. coli bacteria and Coliforms.
It’s important to collect your water sample properly. The accuracy of your results depends on how you collect the sample. Learn how to properly collect a well water sample from Public Health Ontario.
Well water testing bottles can be picked up and dropped off at the following locations in Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas.
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.
Southwestern Public Health - St. Thomas Site
1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
519-631-9900
Southwestern Public Health - Woodstock Site
410 Buller Street, Woodstock
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
519-421-9901
Alexandra Hospital (Switchboard)
29 Noxon Street, Ingersoll
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (Information desk)
167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg
Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich
Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich
199 Currie Road, Dutton
Phone: 519-762-2204
Only open for water bottle pick-up on Tuesdays. You may also call to arrange water bottle pick-up by appointment.
Sinden Feed & Seed Inc.
15 Main Street, Princeton
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm
Plattsville Library
112 Mill St. E.
Thursday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Southwestern Public Health - St. Thomas Site
1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON
519-631-9900
Southwestern Public Health - Woodstock Site
410 Buller Street, Woodstock, ON
519-421-9901
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 11:00am
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 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.
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.
Sinden Feed & Seed Inc.
15 Main Street, Princeton
First Wednesday of every month ONLY 8:30am -10:30am
Learn more about what the results of your water test mean.
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.
How do I get my well water test results?
You can access your results through these methods:
By phone (within two to four business days): Call 1-877-723-3426 and enter the barcode from your sample bottle for automated results.
By email (within two to four business days): send an email to customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca and include
By 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
How long does it take for well water testing?
Once your sample reaches the lab, testing takes 24 hours. Add time for courier transportation to ensure your water sample reaches the lab within 48 hours of collection.
How often should I test my well water?
It’s recommended to test your well water at least three times a year:
In the spring, summer, and fall
After any significant event, such as heavy rainfall, flooding, or land development nearby
What should I do if my water is contaminated?
If your test results show contamination:
Stop drinking the water: Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking.
Disinfect your well: Use the Well Disinfection Tool for step-by-step instructions.
Retest your water: Submit a new sample after disinfecting your well to ensure it’s safe.
Is it okay to add surface or rainwater to my well?
No, adding surface or rainwater can contaminate your well and will not solve water shortage issues. If you’ve done so, have your water tested immediately to ensure it’s safe to drink.
What should I do if my well water has a strong sulphur smell?
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.
Can yard or construction work near 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.
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.
Who is responsible for maintaining wells on private 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 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 do I get my water well records?
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.
What does well water testing cost?
We offer free testing for private well owners.
If you have questions about your test results or water quality, contact us at:
St. Thomas site: 519-631-9900
Woodstock site: 519-421-9901
Stay safe by testing your well water regularly.
Contact Us
Southwestern Public Health (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday)
St. Thomas Site
(Administrative office)
1230 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G9
Woodstock Site
410 Buller Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 4N2
Call us toll free: 1-800-922-0096
Email us
Work with Us
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) values our people! We pride ourselves on our positive and flexible work environment.
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