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How to Take a Water Sample for Bacteriological Testing

Table adapted from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

 

  

 

  

 

  

  
  1. Get a proper water sample bottle from the Public Health Laboratory or a health unit office. Only water collected directly into these bottles will be accepted.
  2. Plan to sample your well water when you’re sure you can deliver it to one of the 6 of the 7 health unit offices (Orillia office does not accept water bottle drop off) or the Public Health Laboratory in Orillia within 24 hours. Your water sample should not be left sitting for a long period of time as this can lead to inaccurate results.
  3. Remove any aerator, screen or other attachments from your faucet. Don’t take a sample from an outside faucet or the garden hose. Take a sample from an inside tap with no aerator, such as the bathtub.
  4. Disinfect the end of the faucet spout with an alcohol swab or dilute bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 10 parts water) before running water to remove debris or bacteria. Disinfecting the tap with a flame is not recommended because this can damage the faucet.
  5. Turn on cold water and let it run for three to four minutes to remove standing water from your plumbing system.

  6. Remove the sample bottle lid :

    • don’t touch the inside of the lid
    • don’t put the lid down
    • don’t rinse out the bottle.
  7. Fill the bottle to the level that is marked, as described in the enclosed instructions, and close the lid firmly.
  8. Keep the sample cool (but not frozen) until it’s returned to the drop-off location. Again, deliver the sample within 24 hours or it may not be processed. Remember that proper handling will help to make sure that your test results are accurate! Don’t store samples in warm places such as your car trunk.

Bottles can be picked up and dropped off to our health unit offices in Barrie, Collingwood, Cookstown, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, or Midland. Bottles will only be accepted at these offices Monday to Thursday (for addresses and times click here). Please do not submit bottles on a Friday to any health unit office.

Sample bottles can also be taken directly to the Public Health Laboratory at 750 Memorial Ave Orillia (across from OPP Headquarters) Monday to Friday.

Page Last Updated: Thursday, November 17 2011