Primer ยท Rural Water
Well Water Testing Around Newmarket
Town water is tested constantly by someone else. On a private well, that someone is you. Here is how to stay on top of it without making it a chore.
- Plain steps you can do yourself, safely
- Clear signs for when to stop and call
- Written for Newmarket houses and water
- A plumber on the phone if it goes sideways
What goes wrong in the pipes
Much of the countryside around Newmarket, from King to East Gwillimbury to the farms past Mount Albert, runs on private wells. Well water can look, smell and taste perfectly fine while carrying bacteria such as E. coli. Contamination can come from surface water seeping in after heavy rain or snowmelt, a cracked well cap, a nearby septic system, or livestock.
The good news is that testing for bacteria in Ontario is simple, and for private well owners it is generally available at no charge through Public Health Ontario laboratories. Sample bottles and instructions are distributed through local public health offices and other pickup points.
Have these on hand
- Clean sample bottle from the lab
- Notebook for dates
- Flashlight
- Gloves
Hands-on steps
- Get a sample kit. Pick up a bottle and instructions from York Region Public Health or another listed location. Use only the bottle provided.
- Choose the right tap. A cold kitchen tap with no filter, softener or treatment device on it is usually best. Remove the aerator first.
- Follow the instructions exactly. Let the water run, avoid touching the inside of the cap or bottle, and fill to the line.
- Return it quickly. Samples must reach the lab within a short window and should be kept cool, so check drop-off times before you collect.
- Read the results carefully. They report on total coliforms and E. coli. Your health unit can explain what action to take if either appears.
- Test for chemistry separately. Hardness, iron, nitrates, sodium and other minerals require a private lab test, often at a cost.
Mistakes that turn a small repair big
- Testing only once. Results change with the seasons and with weather.
- Sampling through a filter or softener. That tests the treatment, not the well.
- Ignoring the wellhead. Check that the cap is secure and the ground slopes away so surface water cannot pool around the casing.
- Forgetting the septic. A poorly maintained septic system near a well is a common source of contamination. Our septic care basics guide covers the essentials.
When to put the tools down and call
Call a plumber if your results show contamination and you need help with disinfection, treatment equipment or repairs to the well system plumbing. Well construction and well casing work are done by licensed well contractors; we can help you sort out which trade you need. Low pressure, sputtering taps or a pump that short-cycles also warrant a visit.
If the line between your well and the house is old, leaking or damaged, water line replacement may be needed. And if mineral-heavy water has worn out fixtures, our toilet installation service can swap in new ones designed to cope with it.
Asked on site
Is well water testing free in Ontario?
Bacteriological testing of private well water is generally offered at no charge through Public Health Ontario labs. Chemical testing usually costs extra through private labs.
What if my test shows E. coli?
Stop drinking the water and contact your local public health unit for advice. Use boiled or bottled water until the well is disinfected and retested.