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HOME / WATER / DRINKING WATER AND WELLS / PRIVATE WATER SUPPLIES (WELLS) / GETTING YOUR WATER TESTED /

Water Testing for Homeowners

It is recommended that homeowners who rely on their own well, get their water tested on a regular basis. 

There are two types of tests, one for bacteria and another for general inorganic chemistry.

Bacteria Analysis

The bacteria test measures both total coliform organisms and E. coli. Bacteria tests provide a general indication of the condition of the well and plumbing system (total coliform), as well as contamination by more serious sources of bacteria such as sewage or manure (E. coli).  Generally it is suggested that private wells be tested at least once a year for bacteria, or any time you notice a significant change in the taste, odour or appearance of the water.

The chemistry test measures a total of 19 parameters that include the most common chemical constituents typically found in drinking water on PEI.  They include both health based parameters such as nitrate, chloride and sodium; parameters that may affect the aesthetic quality of water such as pH, iron and manganese; and others that simply describe the basic characteristics of the water.  It is normally recommended that wells be sampled for chemistry when they are first constructed, and then once every few years.

Water Sample Collection Procedure

There are two analysis bottles available:

• Bacteria analysis uses a sterile clear plastic bottle with a tamper-evident cap.  This bottle contains sodium thiosulfate which is a white powder that neutralizes any chlorine which may be present in a sample.

• Chemistry analysis uses a white plastic 250 ml bottle with a white cap.

Please use the appropriate bottle(s) for the type of analysis which is being requested.  Staff of PEI Analytical Laboratories reserve the right to refuse samples collected in bottles not supplied by the lab, samples with an odour of chlorine, or samples containing foreign material.

Sample Collection Process

1. Select an indoor faucet, if possible, to take the sample.  An outside faucet without a hose is acceptable.
2. Remove the strainer from the tap, if present, and let the cold water run at full flow for five minutes; then back off the flow to a steady slow stream. 
3. Remove the cover and fill the bottle to the neck or the fill line, being careful not to touch it to the faucet.  Also, please ensure that you do not touch the inside of the cap as this will contaminate the sample. Once the sample is collected from the tap, it should be kept cold.
4. Complete the Request Form for Drinking Water Analysis.
5. Deliver the sample to an Access PEI Centre by 3:30 p.m. (12 noon on Fridays) on the same day you take the sample.  Check the schedule below to see when samples are picked up at your local Access PEI site.

Drinking Water Sample Drop-off Sites

Getting and Interpreting the Results

Results of bacteria tests are normally available within two days and are mailed to the client.  In cases where the bacterial quality of the water is not considered fit for human consumption (presence of more than 10 total coliform bacteria, or presence of any E. coli bacteria), department staff will phone the homeowner to notify them of the results, and advise them on what precautions should be taken regarding use of the water.  In cases where it is known that a homeowner has already been advised of these precautions, as would be the case for a re-sample in response to a previous un-acceptable result, telephone contact is not normally made.

Chemistry results are normally available within one to two weeks, and results are forwarded to the client by mail. For either bacteria or chemistry analysis, homeowners can also get their results by contacting the department (see below).

Where testing reveals a water quality problem, homeowners are encouraged to contact departmental drinking water technicians for advice on the appropriate follow-up actions. Check out the Water Fact Sheets for more information on common water quality problems.  Depending on the circumstances, drinking water technicians may wish to make a site visit in an effort to determine the source of the problem.

Water Testing Fees

Bacteria test:  $35 (plus tax)

Chemistry test: $85 (plus tax)

There is no charge for re-samples when such samples are collected in a timely fashion as part of an active investigation of a water quality problem.  This does not include longer term follow-up samples that may be collected by the homeowner some months after the problem has been addressed, or during which no active attempts have been made to address the problem.

Contact Information