Private Well Water Testing

Well water should be tested at least three times a year and is free for private home owners. 

The Public Health lab will test well water for bacteria (E. coli and total coliforms), which will ensure water is safe to drink. For all other water testing, such as chemicals and minerals, please contact a privately owned licensed laboratory.

Visit Public Health Ontario for instructions and more information about water testing, including:

• How to collect a sample and fill out the forms
• How to get and understand your results
• How to protect your well water

Private well owners are responsible for protecting and properly maintaining their own drinking water system.

Business Owners and Well Water

If you own a business or organization that provides non-municipal drinking water to the public, you could be operating a Small Drinking Water System. These systems need to follow the requirements for small drinking water systems (Ontario Regulation 319/08).