Well water testing drop-off sites returning to Grey-Bruce
For the past three years, there have been a lot fewer places to drop off your well water samples in Grey-Bruce.
“We know better than most, the importance of well water testing. Walkerton proved that you have to have good quality testing of your water, and make sure you have easy access to it,” says Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.
Ontarians on well water, are encouraged to test the quality of their drinking water for things like E. coli, at least three times a year.
Public Health Ontario used to collect those water samples at local hospitals. But, that service ceased during the pandemic, and hasn’t resumed, leaving just a few temporary locations at grocery stores and municipal offices spread out across the vastness of Grey-Bruce.
“Recently we learned the temporary locations might not even be supported, so we saw the opportunity to step in, and take ownership of the issue,” says Dr. Ian Arra, medical officer of health with the Grey-Bruce Health Unit.
That ownership, rare for health unit’s to take on, will now involve a made in Grey-Bruce solution. The Grey-Bruce Health Unit will be setting up well water drop-off locations and a courier service, to ensure that no one in Grey-Bruce has to drive more than 30 minutes to find a well water testing drop-off site.
“The quality of one’s drinking water is paramount. As a medical officer of health, it will be very concerning for me if people are not able to test the quality of their drinking water from wells,” says Dr. Arra.
A testing bottle is being filled with water on March 9, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
Dr. Arra says the made in Grey-Bruce solution won’t cost municipalities anything, and will, by all accounts, be funded by the province, which is music to local mayors ears who have been pushing for a solution for several months.
“We need to have easy access to testing close to home for people in our community, and in communities across the region, so hopefully we’re getting to the point where we can re-establish that,” says Charbonneau.
The Grey-Bruce Health Unit says they’re working on securing drop-off sites, and the courier service in consultation with Grey-Bruce municipalities, to fill a void that’s been dangerously empty, since early 2020.
Well water testing drop off site in Owen Sound on March 9, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“Oh this is happening. Planning is underway, and implementation will be very soon,” says Dr. Arra.
There are currently seven places in Grey-Bruce to drop off well water samples, for testing at a lab in London. Grey-Bruce residents historically, send an average of 12,000 well water samples for testing, every year.
For the current list of water-well drop-off locations in Grey-Bruce visit the public health website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.