How to test your well water • Follow steps 1 - 6 - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

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How to test your well water • Follow steps 1 - 6

Do not open the bottle until you are ready to take the sample.
Do not rinse the bottle prior to collecting the sample as it contains a preservative.

Sample must be collected in a correct water sampling bottle available at any health unit office. These bottles are for private drinking water systems only. Print your name on the tag included with your kit and stick it on bottle. Do not submit samples from unprotected sources unless the water has been treated first e.g.) lakes, streams.

Remove all filters or aerators from the faucet. Carefully clean the end of the tap with a clean cloth and some bleach. Take the sample from a tap that you would normally use for drinking water in your home.

Let the cold water run for at least three (3) minutes prior to taking your sample.

Avoid contaminating sampling bottle or lid. (Again, do not open the bottle until you are ready to take the sample and do not rinse the bottle prior to collecting the sample as it contains a preservative). Keep the lid in your hand, but do not touch the inside of the cap.

Once the sample is taken, keep it cold but not frozen. A small cooler, or putting the sample on an ice pack while travelling can achieve this for you, especially through the summer months.

Return the filled water bottle to the health unit (hours and locations are below) as soon as possible for testing at the public health lab in Kingston or Ottawa. Be sure to completely fill in all the information required on the data sheet. Not doing so may result in your sample not being tested. For quicker results record the pin number on the bottle onto the pink card provided within the water testing kit. By following the directions stated on the pink card you may then obtain your results from an automated voice based system 3-4 business days after submitting the sample for testing.

Please do not rely on the results from a single sample. A series of three samples taken one to two weeks apart will help determine your water quality and stability of your water supply.

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Water samples may be submitted at the following offices or at the public health laboratory closest to you. Please check days and times that samples may be dropped off as it varies per location.

Brockville
Main Office: 458 Laurier Blvd, Brockville, Ontario K6V 7A3
613-345-5685 Fax: 613-345-2879
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Smiths Falls
52 Abbott St. N. Unit #2 Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 1W3
613-283-2740 Fax: 613-283-1679
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Kemptville
Box 343 Concession Rd. Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0
613-258-5941 Fax: 613-258-1407
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Almonte
79 Spring Street, Unit # 3 Compartment # 13, Almonte, Ontario K0A 1A0
613-256-1203 Fax: 613-256-1217
Office Hours: Monday 8:30am-4:30pm Tuesday 9am-4:30pm Wed-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Gananoque
375 William Street South, Suite 200, Gananoque, ON K7G 1T2
613-382-4231 Fax: 613-382-7599
Office Hours: Monday-Friday - 8:30 - 4:30

PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES

KINGSTON
181 Barrie Street
Kingston, ON
K7L 4V8

OTTAWA
2380 St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa, ON
K1G 5A4

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July 26, 2008 © Copyright/Disclaimer 2008 • Privacy Statement
In case of public emergency please call 613-345-5685 • An accredited Health Unit since 1990