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 form completely. Note: Your Health Unit number is 2247.
3. Samples are not accepted on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the day before or day of statutory holidays.
4. Bring your drinking water sample to the Health Unit on the same day you collect it.
5. Keep your sample cool.

Getting your lab results

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 and Burk’s Falls Office submissions) or the Sudbury Public Health Laboratory (North Bay Office and West Nipissing Municipal Office submissions).

You will not be able to pick up the report at the Health Unit or the West Nipissing Municipal Office.

For information on private water sample submissions, please see the drinking water sample details below.

Collecting and sending drinking water samples

Collecte et envoi d’échantillons d’eau potable

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.

The Health Unit continues to be open and available to answer questions. However, due to COVID-19, our regular services have been temporarily modified.  Here is a list of our current Environmental Health services: