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NVCA asks province to maintain free well testing

May 9, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is asking the province to not phase out free well-water testing for private wells.

The NVCA Board of Directors sent a letter to the province stating their position that well-water testing is an important public health measure.

Ontarians who get their drinking water from municipal sources are protected by the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

While residents with private wells have benefited from free water testing provided by the Ontario government, they do not have the same legislated protections – leaving residents responsible for protecting and monitoring their own drinking water sources.

“Free well-water testing is a critically important public service and a vital public-health measure for rural residents across our watershed,” said Jonathan Scott, Vice Chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. “The NVCA board urges the provincial government to maintain free well-water testing. It’s the right thing to do to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.”

Well, water safety largely depends on the activities conducted around the well. Even if a well is properly installed and maintained, bacteria can contaminate the drinking water if septic systems, manure, or pet waste is located too close to the well.

A large proportion of residents in the Nottawasaga watershed rely on private wells for drinking water. Through local health units, the Ontario government tests water from private wells for bacteria such as E. Coli to prevent serious gastrointestinal illnesses.

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