Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ April 5, 2023 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is celebrating the arrival of spring and reminding residents that as temperatures rise, the thawing snow poses a risk of localized flooding and well water contamination from run off. If you rely on a private well for drinking water, you are encouraged to test your water to identify problems before they make you sick.
Well water testing
Testing your well water is the only way to know for sure if your drinking water is safe. FREE water testing kits are available at all health unit offices and select municipal offices. Visit our website or contact us at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803 to learn more.
HPEPH recommends testing your well water as often as needed with this free bacteriological test. Testing should be done at least seasonally and any time a weather event, such as flooding, drought, or spring run-off, may have affected the safety of your drinking water. Bacterial contamination may not affect smell or taste of your water; test your water to be sure.
Please note, these tests are only for indicators of harmful bacteria and do not identify any chemicals present in the water. If a chemical problem is suspected, specific tests can be completed through a licensed private lab, for a fee. We encourage homeowners to check for chemicals anytime they have reason for concern. Groundwater is a shared resource that crosses property lines, and contamination from one well can put other wells at risk!
HPEPH is here to help, so if you have questions related to your well water, need guidance on how to take a good sample, or interpretation of drinking water sample results, please contact us at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803 and ask to speak with a public health inspector.
If your water is contaminated with bacteria, there are steps you can take to protect the health of your family.
Flooding
Thawing of snow and ice combined with spring rains may cause localized flooding on some properties. Flood water can be contaminated with sewage or other pollutants which may affect the safety of your drinking water. HPEPH advises those whose wells are affected by flood water to boil their water for one minute at a rolling boil before drinking the water, or use an alternate safe source until you test your water and confirm that it is safe to drink.
Tips to be prepared in case of flooding:
- Stay aware of weather alerts and take warnings seriously.
- Check Environment Canada’s Alert Page for your area.
- Download the WeatherCAN app to get notifications for your location.
- Monitor your local conservation authority website for localized flooding risks.
- Check that drainage ditches, downspouts, and sump pump pipes around your home are clear.
- Label the shut off valves (with direction to turn off). If you must leave your home due to rising flood waters, turn off all utilities: water, power, gas, etc. Do NOT turn off your electricity breaker if there is any water present.
- Maintain your home to keep water out, pay particular attention to foundation walls and basement windows.
- Move items likely to be affected by flood water to higher areas where possible.
- Store chemicals, cleaners, gas cans, etc. up and away from areas that might flood.
- Stock a supply of fuel for generators and pumps in case of power outage.
- Store fuel safely so as not to contaminate flood water.
- Update (or make) an emergency plan and stock your emergency kit, things to include:
- Important family documents and cash
- Safe drinking water, food, and medication
- Spare clothes and shoes for each family member
- Toiletries and towels
- Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight and radio
- First aid kit
- Find more information on our emergency preparedness page
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About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
Media Contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca
