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Nova Scotia offers free well water test kits for evacuees of Halifax-area wildfire

Halifax – Knowing that wildfires can damage wells and impact drinking water, the Nova Scotia government is urging residents with wells in areas evacuated to have their water tested.

Starting today, people can pick up well-water testing kits in Halifax Regional Municipality at the fire station at 2050 Hammonds Plains Rd. and at provincial Environment and Climate Change regional offices in Yarmouth and Bridgewater. More locations will be listed at: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/

The Province will cover testing costs for evacuees.

“As people return to their homes after being evacuated, we know wildfires can impact well water and drinking water,” Premier Tim Houston said. “Our government is working now to get well-water test kits into the hands of the people who need them, and the province will pay all testing fees. We want this testing to be easy, convenient and with no added financial stress.”

People must flush and disinfect well water before testing it. Information on how to do this will be posted at https://novascotia.ca/alerts today, June 5.

People can get help interpreting their test results using the online tool at the Test Your Well Water web page – https://novascotia.ca/well-water-testing/ – or by calling their local Environment and Climate Change office or 1-877-9ENVIRO.

If there are any unusual smells or colours in well water after flushing and disinfection, or potential contamination nearby, additional testing will be needed to make sure the water is safe. People should contact Environment and Climate Change for more information at 902-424-2547 or 1-877-9ENVIRO. In the meantime, people should use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and for pets.