Residents of Grey-Bruce who rely on private wells can now receive their water test results much more quickly due to a new digital system.
Public Health Ontario has introduced the Online Water Testing Portal, which is an electronic platform. This system enables households that use private wells, cisterns, or treated lake water to submit their sample details online and get their test reports within two to four business days. The digital method provides a faster alternative to filling out paper forms and waiting for results to come by mail.
“Grey Bruce Public Health is pleased to support the local uptake of the Online Water Testing Portal,” said Andrew Barton, Senior Public Health Manager at Grey Bruce Public Health. “This electronic option aims to improve turnaround times for people using Public Health Ontario’s complimentary well water testing program and reduce manual submission errors, which can lead to rejected samples.”
Grey Bruce Public Health works together with Public Health Ontario and local municipalities to run the program, offering 14 locations across the region for picking up and dropping off sample kits. Samples collected at the Owen Sound and Walkerton locations are taken to a Public Health Ontario laboratory every weekday, while contracted couriers pick up samples from the other 12 locations on scheduled weekly days.
The testing focuses on finding bacterial indicators of contamination, particularly E. coli and total coliforms, which can cause serious illness or even be fatal. Health officials recommend testing private drinking water sources at least three times a year, as well as after maintenance work, heavy rainfall, or quick snowmelt.
While this new portal gives a digital option, residents can still opt for the traditional paper form and mail process. More information about sample collection and how to access the portal is available through Grey Bruce Public Health.
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