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Water Quality
Peterborough pauses its free well water sampling program during the winter
November 23, 2021 By Ground Water Canada
Peterborough, Ont. – A winter pause on well water testing has been declared for two Peterborough County townships.
Residents have until Thursday to drop off samples at the Trent Lakes and North Kawartha municipal offices. The free drop-off service will resume in April at both offices and will continue until late November.
Samples can still be tested during the winter with drop-off centres at Peterborough Public Health, Public Health Ontario Laboratory, and Havelock-Belmont-Methuan municipal office. Samples are tested for such bacteria as total coliforms and E. coli.
A municipal news release states the presence of E. coli indicates fecal material has contaminated the water, possibly containing disease-causing microbes that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
Health officials recommend private wells be tested three to four times annually.
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