Well Water Testing

• Total coliforms. These bacteria are often found in animal waste, sewage, soil and vegetation. If they are in your drinking water, it means contaminated surface water may be entering your well.
• E. coli (Escherichia coli). These bacteria are normally found only in the digestive systems of people and animals. If they are in your drinking water, it usually means that animal or
  human sewage waste is entering your well from a nearby source.

If these bacteria are in your water, they could cause illness such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and other symptoms, which can lead to additional health concerns.

All private well owners are encouraged to get their water tested 3 times per year (every spring, summer, and fall), even if it looks, tastes and smells fine.

We also recommend that you test your water:

• After any repairs to your well;
• If your well hasn’t been used for several weeks;
• If there is flooding in the area; or
• If you notice a change in your water (e.g. smell, taste or colour).

Whether your test results are positive or negative, it is important to understand that the sample you collected is just a “snapshot” of your well’s water quality. The more samples you have tested, the more confident you can be about the quality of the water you and your family are drinking.

In addition to regularly testing well water, owners should inspect their well at least once a year to make sure it is free from damage and in good working condition.

We do not test well water samples for chemicals like sodium, nitrates, and lead. Please contact a private lab for further testing.

Testing Kits

Free testing kits are available for pick up within the County of Brant. Please refer to the table below for testing kit pick-up and drop-off locations.

Testing Kit Location Pick-Up

• Burford Customer Service Office - Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
• Paris Customer Service Office - Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm  
• St. George Public Library - Please check the Brant Public Library website for hours.
• Scotland-Oakland Public Library - Please check the Brant Public Library website for hours.

Testing kits are also available at the Brant County Health Unit - 194 Terrace Hill St., Brantford 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Testing Kit Location Drop-off

• Burford Customer Service Office - The last Wednesday of every month between 8:30 am and 2 pm. Samples can be dropped off in the fridge in the main lobby.
• Brant County Health Unit - Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Please note the lab will only accept water samples taken directly into the proper water testing bottle.

For more information on well water testing and other pick-up and drop-off locations for testing kits, please visit Safe Water - Brant County Health Unit webpage.