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.
How to collect a well water sample
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.
Submitting a well water sample
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.
Water bottle pick-up locations:
| Southwestern Public Health - St. Thomas Site |
|
1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON Monday - Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm, Thursday 8:30am- 12:00pm 519-631-9900 |
| Southwestern Public Health - Woodstock Site |
|
410 Buller Street, Woodstock Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 11:30am |
| Ingersoll |
|
Alexandra Hospital (Switchboard) 29 Noxon Street, Ingersoll |
| Tillsonburg |
|
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (Information desk) 167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg |
| Embro |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available 135 Huron Street, Embro Wednesday 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Municipality of Bayham |
|
56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville Phone: 519-866-5521 |
| Township of Malahide |
|
87 John Street, South, Aylmer Phone: 519-773-5344 |
| Township of Norwich |
|
285767 Airport Road, Norwich Monday to Friday 8:30am - 10:30am |
| 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. |
| Princeton |
|
Sinden Feed & Seed Inc. 15 Main Street, Princeton Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm |
| Plattsville |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available Plattsville Library 112 Mill St. E. Thursday 9:00am - 12:00pm |
| Municipality of West Elgin |
|
22413 Hoskins Line, Rodney Phone: 519-785-0560 |
| Tavistock |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available 40 Woodstock St. S. Wednesday 3:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Township of South-West Oxford |
|
South-West Oxford Township Office 312915 Dereham Line, Mount Elgin Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm |
Water sample drop-off locations:
| Southwestern Public Health - St. Thomas Site |
|
1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON 519-631-9900
|
| Southwestern Public Health - Woodstock Site |
|
410 Buller Street, Woodstock Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 11:30am |
| Ontario Public Health Lab - London |
|
Address change as of Monday, November 9, 2020 Unit 102-1200 Commissioners Road East, London, ON Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm 519-455-9310
Water samples may also be dropped off directly to the Ontario Public Health Lab. |
| Tillsonburg |
|
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (Information desk) 167 Rolph St. NOTE: Samples are picked up by the lab courier Monday - Friday at approximately 6:45am. |
| Ingersoll |
|
Alexandra Hospital (Switchboard) 29 Noxon St. Ingersoll Monday 8:00am - 8:00pm |
| Tavistock |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available
Tavistock Library 40 Woodstock St. S. Wednesday 3:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Princeton |
|
Sinden Feed & Seed Inc. 15 Main Street, Princeton First Wednesday of every month ONLY 8:30am -10:30am |
| Plattsville |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available
Plattsville Library 112 Mill St. E. Thursday 9:00am - 12:00pm |
| Township of Norwich |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available
285767 Airport Road, Norwich Tuesday 8:30am - 10:30am |
| Embro |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available
135 Huron Street, Embro Wednesday 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Township of South-West Oxford |
|
Please note: During COVID-19 this site is not available
South-West Oxford Township Office 312915 Dereham Line, Mount Elgin Tuesday 8:30am - 10:00pm |
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 (as shown below), 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? |
|
On the form attached to the bottle, there are boxes where you can indicate that you will pick up the results (at the lab in London only) or that you wish to have the results mailed to you. There is also a blue card in the package which has a 1-800 number that you can call two days after the sampling is done to get your results. It is an automated system that gives the results only; you will not speak to a customer service representative. |
| 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. |