Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health encourages residents with private wells to test their water supply as soon as possible if their well has flooded.
Recent high-water levels and flood conditions caused by rain could allow harmful bacteria to enter the drinking water supply, rendering the water supply unsafe for consumption.
“Until you can test your well water, use bottled water for daily use including drinking, making infant formula or juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth,” says Theresa Warren, Public Health Inspector at Lambton Public Health. “Alternatively you can boil your water rapidly for at least one minute before use.”
Once floodwaters have receded, the well should be disinfected and tested at least three times, at one-week intervals, before the water is used for drinking. The test for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and water sample kits are free. Water samples must be dropped off within 24 hours of being taken.
Water sample kits can be picked up and dropped off at:
Lambton Public Health, 160 Exmouth St., Point Edward
Please call in advance due to restricted access.
Phone: 519-383-8331 or 1-800-667-1839
- Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Lab (Basement), 450 Blanche St., Petrolia
- Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Forest and Petrolia sub-offices (public health) are closed but rural residents in Lambton County can bring water samples to our main office in Point Edward and to the lab in Petrolia. Alternatively, residents may be closer to:
- London Public Health Lab, 850 Highbury Ave. N., London
Additional details for this location: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Laboratory-Services/Well-Water-Testing
Visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca to access resources for well water testing including how to properly identify your well and how to take water samples. For more information on disinfection and sampling procedures, call Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331 or toll-free 1-800-667-1839.
Lambton Public Health recommends routinely testing well water 3-4 times annually to ensure the supply is not contaminated.
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