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

Water Testing for Tourism Operators

Many tourism operations rely on their own private water supplies.  The provisions of the Tourism PEI Act and regulations require tourism operators to sample such supplies for bacterial quality every 3 months or part thereof during a calendar year that the tourist establishment is receiving guests. 

Water Sample Collection Procedure

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 some months after the problem has been addressed, or during which no active attempts have been made to address the problem.

Contact Information