Health
Reminder to test private water supplies (07/10/05)
NB 1260
Oct. 5, 2007
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Dr. Wayne MacDonald, the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health, reminds New Brunswickers of the importance of private water supply testing for total coliforms and E. coli bacteria twice per year to ensure a reliable supply of clean water.
"More than half of our population lives in a rural setting, which means a high percentage of our residents depend on private drinking water supplies," MacDonald said. "I remind all owners of private water supplies to take steps to ensure the quality of their drinking water."
Testing is especially recommended after the spring thaw and during the fall rainy season. Testing should be done regardless of any water treatment devices that may be installed on the water system.
If at any time there is any change in the appearance, taste or colour of the water, it should be tested. It is recommended under these circumstances that water used for drinking and cooking be boiled for one minute prior to using until a lab analysis report indicates your water is safe to drink.
Where water supplies may have been exposed to substances such as pesticides or petroleum products, homeowners may want to consider organic testing for such chemicals.
Inorganic testing will reveal whether chemicals such as arsenic, uranium or fluoride, which can occur naturally in New Brunswick, are present at unacceptable levels.
"Whether we live in an urban or rural setting, we must keep in mind that our drinking water resources are shared by all members of our community," MacDonald said. "Knowing more about the quality of the water we drink can alert homeowners to a potential problem and provide them peace of mind when no problems exist."
Public Health offices provide information on water supply testing and information on how to remedy the situation, should the results show a problem, including chlorination and re-testing. New Brunswickers may choose to use the services of the provincial laboratory or an accredited private laboratory. Additional information is also available online at http://www.gnb.ca/health, including information on health risks associated with flood waters and measures to take before and after a flood.
07/10/05
EDITOR'S NOTE: Background information follows. MEDIA CONTACT: Johanne LeBlanc, communications, Health, 506-457-3513.
Water Quality Protection
The department's Public Health Division has in place preventive measures to ensure the safety of drinking water supplies and on-site wastewater treatment. These measures are meant to reduce the incidence and spread of some communicable diseases.
Importance of testing private water supplies
Water from private water supplies should be routinely tested twice a year for Total Coliform and E.coli when the water supply is most at risk, such as after the spring thaw and during the autumn rainy season. Testing should be done regardless of any water treatment devices that may be installed on the water system.
Water should be re-tested after any event that could have affected the microbial safety of the water supply; for example a sewage back-flow in the area of the well, or a flood. The water should also be re-tested if there is a change in the appearance, taste or odour of the water.
When a water well is drilled, deepened or repaired, a testing voucher is issued to the homeowner from the well contractor. The voucher, which is a requirement under the Potable Water Regulation of the Clean Water Act, covers the cost of inorganic and microbiological analysis. Homeowners who have received a well water testing voucher are strongly encouraged to test the quality of their water within twelve months of the voucher being issued.
Private water supplies should also be tested for inorganic compounds such as arsenic, uranium, fluoride and nitrates. Rock formations that make up the Earth's crust are rich in natural deposits for such compounds. Ground water that has traveled through these rock formations could have high levels of these compounds.
Inorganic analysis on private water supplies should preferably be done every two to three years or more often if previous sampling of water showed levels of compounds near the health advisory levels.
The water should be tested for organic compounds if:
- the water source is located in an area that may be exposed to chemicals such as petroleum products or pesticides;
- a recent incident such as a petroleum spill has occurred in the area of the well;
- the water has a noticeable taste or odour of a chemical.
In order to help prevent contamination of private water supplies, certain precautions should be taken. For example, on-site sewage disposal systems need to be properly maintained and serviced:
- the area around the water source needs to be kept free of debris;
- surface water needs to be drained away from the site;
- pets shouldn't be housed in the area of the water source.
Water supply owners have numerous choices for water testing service. Owners are encouraged to ask the person offering to test their water if the person has national certification for his lab. Owners' health and safety should be assured by lab services that are recognized as reliable. Public health offices can also offer advice.
For more information, contact your local Public Health Office.
07/10/05