Glossary · Health & indoor air
Well water testing
Also called: well water test · private well testing · well testing · drinking water test
Lab testing of water from a private well for bacteria and chemicals, done on a regular schedule and after floods or repairs.
What it means
Basic tests look for coliform bacteria, including E. coli, which signal contamination from the surface or from sewage. Which chemicals to test for, and how often, depends on local geology and land use, so ask your local public health unit. Follow the lab's sampling instructions.
Why it matters in an audit
A home health screen flags whether a well test is due, especially before buying, after flooding, or when someone in the household is vulnerable.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health Canada | Test for microbes at least every 6 months (early spring and fall, and after heavy rain, floods, fire, drought or long disuse); general water quality every 2 years | canada.ca ↗ |
| Safe microbial result (Health Canada) | No E. coli and no total coliforms per 100 mL | canada.ca ↗ |