Free well and cistern water testing available

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This article was published 12/05/2023 (725 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All those who suspect their water supply has been tainted due to flooding can have their water tested for free, according to a Friday provincial announcement.

Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced that private well and cistern owners impacted by flooding will not have to pay to test their drinking water for more than four months.

“Our government is helping ease some of the financial burden for Manitobans affected by flooding by fully subsidizing water testing costs,” he said.

This free water testing for private well and cistern owners is only available at Horizon Lab Ltd. in Winnipeg. For information on sample collection, sample shipping or test results, contact the laboratory directly at 204-488-2035.

Dr. Brent Roussin stressed the importance of testing all water sources once flood waters recede.

“Preventing the risk of waterborne disease is important and the province wants well and cistern owners to take steps to protect themselves,” he said.

Those who suspect their well or cistern might be compromised by flooding should boil drinking water before use.

Indicators that a water well may have been affected by flooding include:

• a change in taste, odour or appearance of well water;

• laboratory tests that show bacteria in well water or other wells nearby; and

• water lying around a well head or collecting in a well pit or around other wells nearby.

All Manitobans are reminded to test their private water supply at least once a year and after flooding.

For general inquiries about the Manitoba government’s existing bacteria testing subsidy program for private well owners, call 204-945-5762.

For information on taking water samples, reducing risk of well contamination, treating well water, or shock chlorinating wells, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/drinking-water/well-videos/index.html.

People with health-related questions about drinking well water can call Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.