Water Test Kit (Photo provided by Grey Bruce Health Unit)
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is advising residents to get their private water drinking systems tested as the region welcomes warmer temperatures.
The GBHU says the spring season is the ideal time to test water, as the warmer weather can produce flooding, spring-melt conditions, and high groundwater, which can contaminate private systems. These include water from private wells, sand-point or surface water.
Those who use these systems can have them tested for bacterial contamination free of charge.
GBHU program manager Andrew Barton says, the prevention of sickness caused by drinking contaminated water is a core aspect of public health.
“It is preventable, but the first step is knowing that the contamination exists,” says Barton. “I recommend that anyone who uses a private water supply take advantage of the free testing service provided through the Grey Bruce Health Unit.”
Tests are conducted by Public Health Ontario laboratories for bacterial indicators of contamination, E. coli, and total coliforms which can make people sick and even be fatal.
Should a test come back with an adverse sample result, residents can contact the GBHU for help.
The testing program is not available for people who use municipal water systems.
More details on water testing kit pick-up and drop-off locations can be found on the GBHU website.
