Private Drinking Water Testing

Collecting and sending drinking water samples

Well-water and treated surface water used for drinking can be sent for testing. You should test your water three times per year: spring, summer and fall. Untreated surface water will not be tested.

1. Follow the instructions in your water sample kit to collect your drinking water sample.
2. Fill out the paper form completely, OR complete the Electronic Water Test Requisition form online through the Online Water Testing Portal. Note: Your Health Unit number is 2247.
3. If you complete the paper form, include it with your water sample. If you complete the form online, you do not need to include a paper form with your sample. 
4. Keep one of the barcodes from the water collection bottle and the last name entered. You will need them to access your results.
5. Samples are not accepted on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the day before or day of statutory holidays.
6. Bring your drinking water sample to the Health Unit on the same day you collect it.
7. Keep your sample cool.

Getting your lab results 

Electronic:

Get your lab results online with the new Water Testing Portal from Public Health Ontario! 

Reports are typically available two to four business days after the sample is dropped off.

• Grab your barcode number and last name from the water collection bottle and head to the Water Testing Portal.
• Click Access Water Test Reports and follow the prompts. Your results will be available to view, download and/or print as a PDF. 

Telephone:

Prior to submission, remove one of the barcodes from the sample bottle and place it on the Water Results by Telephone Card (Blue).

Follow the instructions on the card.

Mail:

Select the box “Please mail to my mailing address above.” The report will be mailed to the address in the top left hand box of the form.

Pick up at the laboratory:

Select the box “Pick up at the laboratory.” The laboratory will hold the report for two weeks after the sample is received. It will be mailed after this date.

No report will be released without proper identification (eg. photo ID). You may pick up your report at the Orillia Public Health Laboratory (Parry Sound Office submissions) or the Sudbury Public Health Laboratory (North Bay Office, Burk's Falls Village Office, and West Nipissing Municipal Office submissions).

You will not be able to pick up the report at the Health Unit, Burk's Falls Village Office, or the West Nipissing Municipal Office.

The Public Health Ontario website has additional information on safe drinking water. You can learn the right way to collect a water sample, how to understand your test results and how to protect your well water.

If you have questions about your private water results, please call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5400.