Media Release: Water Sample Courier Service Paused For The Winter

Peterborough Public Health Media Release:

Service Resumes in Spring 2024 in Two Northern County Townships

Peterborough Public Health, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and the Township of North Kawartha are pausing their joint well water sample drop-off program for the Winter. The final date for county residents to drop off their samples to the North Kawartha Municipal Office and the Trent Lakes Municipal Office is Thursday, November 30, 2023.

The free well water sample drop-off service will return next year at both locations, starting the first week of April in 2024. Throughout the Winter months, residents may continue to drop off their samples at the following locations:

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King Street, Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday
• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa Street, Havelock between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

It is important to test well water a number of times throughout the year. For a drilled well, it is recommended to test the water twice per year. For a dug well, the recommendation is four times per year. “Even when the ground is frozen, contamination may be present. Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed.” said Chris Eaton, Public Health Inspector from Peterborough Public Health. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring so it’s easier for residents to submit well water for testing.”

Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. The presence of E. coli indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These organisms can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but the young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.

After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or they can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. For interpretation of the test results, or to find out out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms or E. coli, please call Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 240 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca. 

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations

Media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.