Private well water

If your drinking water comes from a private water supply such as a well, you should regularly test your water. 

Public Health Ontario laboratories analyze private drinking water free of charge. 

To test your private water supply, pick up a well water sampling kit during regular business hours at any KFL&A Public Health office, or at the Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 181 Barrie St., Kingston. 

Follow the sampling instructions attached to the bottle and ensure the water sample will be received by the testing lab within 48 hours of collection. Learn more about submitting your well records from the government of Ontario website.

Water sample pick up and drop off locations 

What to do if your test results indicate your water is unsafe to drink

Stop using your private water supply for drinking, food preparation, or brushing teeth, and contact KFL&A Public Health. A public health inspector can help you interpret your test results and discuss treatment options. For more information, visit the Province of Ontario's Testing and treating private water wells webpage.

How to disinfect a contaminated well

Drinking water is usually obtained from the groundwater table through dug wells (constructed of concrete tile rings), drilled wells or sandpoint wells (constructed of steel piping). To protect your well, ensure that contaminated water from tile drains, livestock operations and roof eaves is directed away from it.

Dug wells made of brick are susceptible to contamination unless the joints between each course are sealed to a depth of 3 m (10 ft).

Refer to the Well Disinfection Tool for information on how to disinfect a contaminated well.

How do I obtain a record for the well(s) that are on my property?

Visit the interactive Well Record Map and click on the well of interest.
If you can’t find the well record using the interactive Well Record Map, please fill out this form to submit it to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

How do I get the results of my test?

• Test results are usually available two to four business days after sample drop-off.

By telephone

• Call the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-723-3426. Enter the barcode number from the sample bottle (PIN) to hear an automated message with your test results and interpretation.

By mail

• If you chose to receive a mailed report or made no selection, it will be sent to the name and address provided on the form.

Electronically

• Email customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca and include:
  • The timeframe of results you are looking for and sample barcode(s) if available
  • Address of the water source (include street number, street name or lot, concession number, township/municipality, county and postal code)