Private well water

Well water sampling bottle on a decorative background.

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 Southeast Public Health office, or at the Public Health Ontario Laboratory.

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

These hours may change due to holidays and/or operational need. Please check the Public Health Ontario website to confirm hours of operation.

Water sample pick-up and drop-off – September 30

Some Southeast Public Health offices will be closed on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This will affect private drinking water sample bottle pick-up and drop-off services in some areas.

Water sample pick-up and drop-off – September 30

Water sample services in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are not affected by the September 30 closure.

Residents are encouraged to check the current water sample pick-up and drop-off schedule before collecting a sample to ensure it can be submitted within the required timeframe for laboratory testing.

Southeast Public Health – Belleville office

179 North Park Street, Belleville
613-966-5500
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Southeast Public Health – Trenton office

499 Dundas Street West, Trenton
613-966-5500
Monday to Wednesday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m.

Southeast Public Health – Picton office

35 Bridge Street, Suite 1, Picton
613-966-5500
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. closed from noon to 1 p.m.

Municipality of Tweed office

255 Metcalf Street, Tweed
613-966-5500
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to noon

Municipality of Centre Hastings office

7 Furnace Street, Madoc
613-966-5500
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 to 10 a.m.

Municipality of Marmora and Lake

12 Bursthall Street, Marmora
613-966-5500
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to noon

Southeast Public Health – Bancroft office

1P Manor Lane, L1 – 024
1-800-267-1461
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to noon

Water sample pick-up and drop-off – September 30

Private drinking water sample bottle pick-up and drop-off will not be available on September 30 at the following Southeast Public Health locations:

  • Kingston – 221 Portsmouth Avenue
  • Napanee – 99 Advance Avenue
  • Cloyne – 14209 Highway 41

Residents should check the regular water sample schedule before collecting a sample.

Southeast Public Health – Kingston office

221 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston
Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Southeast Public Health – Cloyne office

14209 Highway 41, Cloyne
Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Southeast Public Health – Napanee office

99 Advance Avenue, Napanee
Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Township of Central Frontenac office

14216 Road 38, Sharbot Lake
Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Water sample pick-up and drop-off – September 30

Due to the September 30 closure and associated sample transportation schedules, private drinking water samples cannot be accepted at Lanark, Leeds and Grenville water sample drop-off locations on Tuesday, September 29 or Wednesday, September 30, with the exception noted below.

Almonte Library will continue to accept water samples on Wednesday, September 30 during its regular water sample drop-off hours.

All other Lanark, Leeds and Grenville water sample drop-off locations will be unavailable for sample submission on September 29 and 30.

Residents in the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville area are advised not to collect a drinking water sample for submission on September 29 or 30 unless they plan to drop it off at the Almonte Library on September 30.

Regular water sample pick-up and drop-off schedules will resume following the closure.

Almonte Library, Township of Mississippi Mills

155 High Street, Mississippi Mills
Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Southeast Public Health – Brockville office

458 Laurier Boulevard, Brockville
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
Laboratory: Kingston Public Health Laboratory

Southeast Public Health – Gananoque office

375 William Street South, Suite 200, Gananoque
Monday to Thursday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
(If you require assistance at the service site, please call on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-800-660-5853)
Laboratory: Kingston Public Health Laboratory

Municipality of North Grenville office

285 County Road #44, Kemptville
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Township of Lanark Highlands office

75 George Street, Lanark
First Tuesday of every month
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Tay Valley Township office

217 Harper Road, Perth
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Country Roads Community Health Centre

4319 Cove Road at Highway 15, Portland
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Laboratory: Kingston Public Health Laboratory

Southeast Public Health – Smiths Falls office

25 Johnston Street, Smiths Falls
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township Hall

18 Centre Street, Spencerville
Tuesdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
A cooler will be placed inside the front doors to place your filled sample bottles.
Laboratory: Ottawa Public Health Laboratory

Locations for water bottle pick-up only

Water sample bottles are available at the following municipal offices:

  • Athens
  • Beckwith
  • Drummond/North Elmsley
  • Elizabethtown/Kitley
  • Leeds and the 1000 Islands
  • Merrickville-Wolford
  • Montague
  • Westport

Kingston

181 Barrie Street, Kingston
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ottawa

2380 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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 Southeast 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.

Online

  • Visit the Online Water Testing Portal at Public Health Ontario
  • This online Water Testing Portal provides a streamlined way to electronically submit your requisition and access your online report. Simply collect your sample, submit your information online, drop off your sample and access your online report.

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.

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.

Email

  • 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)