May 1, 2018
This week, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is launching a survey for private well users to improve testing rates and better understand which local factors influence the risk of contamination.
Testing private well water is voluntary and the service is free. Nevertheless, in Wellington County and Dufferin County only 15% of private wells are tested each year. However, approximately 19% of samples tested had evidence of bacterial contamination.
“Public Health is working with well water owners and community partners, including Wellington and Dufferin counties, to increase well water testing,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “A cornerstone of Public Health’s work has always been safe drinking water and working with municipalities on public drinking water systems. It is important to work with private well owners as well to ensure the safety of everyone’s drinking water.”
Public Health is asking anyone who uses private well water to complete a five-minute survey. Residents can complete the survey online at wdgpublichealth.ca/WWS or pick up a paper copy anywhere water sampling bottles are available.
To encourage testing, bottles will now be available at most County of Wellington Libraries, the Mount Forest and Palmerston Hospitals, participating municipal offices and all Public Health offices. To pick up a testing bottle or to drop off a sample, residents can get hours and locations at: www.wdgpublichealth.ca/wellwater or by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4753.
Media Contact:
Jessica Anselmini
Communications Specialist
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4377
jessica.anselmini@wdgpublichealth.ca