How to submit a water sample for bacteria testing. Tips and Suggestions.

Completing the form

Be prepared to supply the following information and make sure it is complete :

• your daytime telephone number
• the four-line detailed location, including postal code, of your water source
• your public health unit number (see page 2 of water sample submission form)
• an indication of how you wish to receive your results
• the date the sample was collected
• a complete mailing address for results.

Note : Do not submit samples from high-risk water supplies, such as lakes, rivers or streams, unless water has been properly treated first.   Consult your Water Stores Group store for treatment options.

Sampling your water for accurate results

1. Get a proper water sample bottle from the local public health unit. Only water collected directly into these bottles will be accepted.

2. Plan to sample your well water when you”re sure you can deliver it to the public health unit within 24 hours.  Remember that their cut off time is noon on Thursday so plan to submit it before then.

3. The best place to take a sample is from an inside tap with no aerator, such as the bathtub.  Don”t take a sample from an outside faucet or the garden hose.

4. Disinfect the end of the faucet spout with a dilute bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 10 parts water) before running water to remove debris or bacteria.

5. Turn on cold water and let it run for three to four minutes to remove standing water from your plumbing system.

6.   Wash your hands with soap and water before proceeding.

7.  Remove the sample bottle lid :

• don”t touch the inside of the lid
• don”t put the lid down
• don”t rinse out the bottle.

8. Fill the bottle to the level that is marked, as described in the enclosed instructions, and close the lid firmly.

9.   Fill the same name that is on the forms onto the sticker and stick to the side of the sample bottle being carefull not to cover the bar codes.

10.   Remove one of the bar code stickers and stick it onto the blue piece of paper and keep the blue paper so you can call in for the results 2 to 3 days after submitting your sample.

11.  Return the completed information into the plastic bag and wrap around the bottle held in place with the rubber band.

12.   Keep the sample cool (but not frozen) until it”s returned to the drop-off location. Again, deliver the sample within 24 hours or it may not be processed. Remember that proper handling will help to make sure that your test results are accurate! Don”t store samples in warm places such as your car trunk.

Interpreting results

Bacteria – Total coliform include bacteria that are always present in animal wastes and sewage, but are also found in soil and vegetation. Their presence may indicate that surface water is entering your well.

Escherichia coli (or E.Coli) are bacteria found only in the digestive systems of people and animals. Their presence in your well water is usually the result of animal or human waste contamination from a nearby source.

Test Outcomes

 

Organisms	Ontario Drinking Water Standards Interpretation		Reason
Total coliform per 100 mL	5 or less	no significant evidence of bacterial contamination	3 samples in a row, taken 1 to 3 weeks apart, with this designation are needed to determine the stability of the water supply
E.Coli per 100 mL	0
Total coliform per 100 mL	more than 5	significant evidence of bacterial contamination	may be unsafe to drink consult your local public health unit for information as soon as possible
E.Coli per 100 mL	0
E.Coli per 100 mL	> 0	unsafe to drink – animal or human waste contamination	unsafe to drink evidence of animal or human waste contamination consult your local public health unit for information immediately

 

If your well water tests positive

Immediate measures

• Stop using the well water.
• If you want to continue to use your well water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making infant formula, juices, ice or recipes, brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, and washing food or dishes. Your boiled water supply should always be refrigerated until it is used.
• Consider using alternative water sources such as bottled water or municipal supply if available.

Longer-term measures

• Disinfect your well and entire household plumbing system. See our How to Disinfect your Household plumbing blog and video for more information.
• Have your well water re-tested to confirm that your water supply doesn”t contain disease-causing bacteria and now meets the Ontario Drinking Water Standards.
• Chronic, ongoing problems may mean you need to have your well and plumbing system professionally inspected. This will help to determine possible reasons for the poor water quality results, such as surface water entering the top of the well. Contact a licensed well professional to help you with this task. Check with your Water Stores Group Store to arrange to have a Water Treatment Professional suggest   treatment   options for you.
• If you have an old well consider replacing it with a new well that meets present-day well construction practices.

If you have bacteria in your water and would like more information about out Ultra Violet Disinfection Systems to remove the bacteria or to download a brochure go to http://www.waterstoresgroup.com/store-products.php?locationID=17&categoryID=11

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