Private Well Owners

The Municipality of Trent Lakes provides water sample bottles to any resident that owns a private well and wants to ensure their water is safe to drink. Testing your well water is the best way to stay informed about the safety of your drinking water.

Water testing kits

Water sample bottles are available for pick up at the Trent Lakes Municipal Office. Once you've collected a water sample, you can drop it at the Municipal Office between April and November at the following times:

• Tuesday's before 10 a.m. 
• Thursday's before 10 a.m.

Lakelands Public Health picks up your sample at the office and sends it off for testing.

Cost

There is no cost to residents to use this program.

Collecting a water sample

Follow the steps provided with the bottle carefully so that the sterile water sample bottle does not become contaminated, and sample water only intended for drinking water (i.e., do not sample from untreated lake water).

Your water sample must also be kept cool – do not store or transport it in warm places such as your trunk. Results are unreliable if the sample is improperly collected, stored, or transported. For more information on how to collect your water sample, please visit Public Health Ontario.

Dropping off your water sample

Once you've collected a water sample, you can drop it at the Municipal Office between April and November at the following times:

• Tuesday's before 10 a.m. 
• Thursday's before 10 a.m.

Lakelands Public Health picks up your sample at the office and sends it off for testing.

Results

Test results are available within two to four business days after you drop off your sample. There are several ways to access your results: 

Online

Public Health Ontario now offers an online Water Testing Portal for private drinking water. Clients can enter their information and access test results electronically.

Telephone

The toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-723-3426. Follow instructions on the “blue card” within the water sample collection kit. 

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.

In Person

If you indicated on the form that you will pick up the report at the Public Health Ontario laboratory, proceed to show your photo identification at the reception desk during regular operating hours. If someone is picking up the report on your behalf, they will need a Potability of Water Release Form signed by the submitter and their photo identification. 

Email

A written request must be submitted, including the period of results you are looking for, sample barcode(s) if available and the location of the water source. Ensure you include street address or lot and concession number, township/municipality, county, and postal code. You may send your request by e-mail to customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca. 

Additional Information

For additional information regarding well water testing, please visit the Lakelands Public Health website.