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Drinking Water

Free Drinking Water Testing

If you rely on a private well or other non-municipal water source, your water quality may change over time. To ensure your drinking water is safe, regularly submit samples for testing.

Public Health Ontario (PHO) Laboratories offer free bacterial testing for E. coli and total coliforms. For testing of other contaminants, please contact a private licensed laboratory.

Important Information

  • The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the Public Health Ontario Lab are separate agencies.
  • The health unit helps deliver water samples but does not test the water or provide results.
  • It may take up to 24 hours to deliver water samples to the public health lab and samples must be tested within 48 hours of collection.
  • Take the sample just before you deliver it and ensure all forms are filled out as instructed to avoid delays in testing
  • Water samples are NOT accepted on Fridays at any health unit office.
  • You may drop off samples directly at the Orillia Public Health Laboratory (750 Memorial Ave.) Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
  • Water sample drop-offs are NOT accepted at our Orillia office and 80 Bradford Street, Barrie.
  • PHO Laboratories do not test for chemicals or minerals - please contact a private licensed laboratory, for these services.
  • To access your results, have your barcode ready and call the Public Health Ontario Lab at 1-877-723-3426. Test results are usually available within two to four business days after you drop off your water sample. The Public Health Ontario Lab provides test results by telephone, in person, by mail or electronically: Get and Understand Your Results
  • Municipal water is tested regularly and is not analyzed by the Public Health Ontario Laboratories. For more information on water quality and testing, please contact your local municipality.
  • If your private water supply serves a business, visit our water system operator's webpage for details on testing requirements.

PICK UP:

  • Empty water sampling bottles may be picked up from one of the locations below, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Please note office lunch closure times listed below. 

DROP OFF:

  • Water samples may be dropped off at one of the locations listed below. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Water samples are NOT accepted on Fridays at any health unit office.

 

Our business hours may change due to holidays. For the latest updates, check our website or contact us directly.

 SMDHU OFFICE LOCATION & ADDRESS 

 DROP-OFF TIMES FOR WELL WATER TESTING 

Barrie

15 Sperling Dr.

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Collingwood

280 Pretty River Parkway

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

No drop-offs between 12:30PM to 1:30PM

Cookstown

25 King St. South, Unit 2

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

No drop-offs between 12:30PM to 1:30PM

Gravenhurst

5 Pineridge Gate

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Huntsville

34 Chaffey St.

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

No drop-offs between 12:30PM to 1:30PM

Midland

A-925 Hugel Ave

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Orillia

120-69 Front St. South

PICK-UP ONLY

This location DOES NOT accept water samples.

                                                         OTHER LOCATIONS

Orillia - Public Health Laboratory

750 Memorial Ave.

Mondays to Fridays 8:00AM to 4:45PM

Pick up and drop off at this location.
  1. The Public Health Ontario (PHO) website has very detailed instructions on how to collect a well water sample. Follow the water sample collection steps carefully so that the sterile sample bottle does not become contaminated, and sample water only intended for drinking (i.e. do not sample untreated lake water). It's important to collect your sample properly. The accuracy of your test results depends on it.
  2. Submit the sample at a drop-off location during designated hours. Your water sample must be kept cool - do not store or transport in warm places such as the truck of your vehicle. Results are unreliable if the sample is improperly collected, stored, or transported.

Have your barcode ready and call 1-877-723-3426.

Test results are usually available within two to four business days after you drop off your water sample. Public Health Ontario provides test results by telephone, in person, by mail or electronically: Get and Understand Your Results

No significant evidence of bacterial contamination means your water is safe to drink.

Significant evidence of bacterial contamination means there were more than 5 total coliforms in your drinking water, and it may be unsafe to drink.

UNSAFE TO DRINK: Evidence of fecal contamination means they found E. coli in your drinking water which indicates contamination from human or animal feces. 

NDOGN - No Data: Overgrown with Non-target means your water is unsafe to drink. It is heavily contaminated with environmental bacteria.

NDOGT - No Data: Overgrown with Target means your water is unsafe to drink. It is heavily contaminated with environmental bacteria and total coliforms and/or E. coli are present.

 

The Public Health Ontario (PHO) website has more information to help you Understand Your Results including a detailed factsheet: Drinking Water Indicator Bacteria and Their Significance
  • Use bottled water or bring your water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, making infant formula, juices, ice, brushing your teeth, and preparing food.
  • If you have a water treatment system or device, ensure it is operating properly. You may need to consult with a water treatment professional.
  • Disinfect your well using the Public Health Ontario Well Disinfection Tool, or contact a licensed well contractor. Licensed well contractors are listed on the Government of Ontario's directory. Well disinfection is a temporary method to eliminate bacterial contamination from your water supply. It is important to identify and fix any possible sources of contamination before disinfecting your well.
  • Collect and submit a water sample after 48 hours.
  • Do not drink your water until your sample results show E. coli is 0 and total coliforms are less than 5.
  • Find and remove potential sources of contamination such as failing septic system, manure close to the well, drainage of rainfall or snowmelt towards the well, broken or non-secure well caps, and seal joints/cracks/connections in the well casing.
  • If your drinking water quality does not improve, consider consulting with a licensed well contractor, or a knowledgeable water treatment professional.

  

In addition to regular testing, owners should inspect their wells and drinking water system equipment at least once a year to make sure it is free from damage and in good condition.

Please contact a private licensed laboratory. The Public Health Ontario Laboratories do not test for other contaminants such as chemicals. 

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