Environmental Health - Water Quality

1. Obtain a 200 ml water sample bottle from Peel Health reception desk at 44 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton or 55 Standish Crt., 5th Floor, in Mississauga.
2. Remove aerators and other attachments from your tap.
3. Let water run for 2 - 3 minutes before sampling.
4. Do not touch the bottle lip and do not rinse out the bottle.
5. Fill the bottle to the "fill line" directly from the tap without changing the flow of water.
6. Replace cap tightly. Before returning your sample:
7. Complete "Bacteriological Analysis of Water" form, which is attached to the water bottle. If you wish to have your results returned by mail, attach sufficient postage on this form.
8. If possible, water samples should be taken just prior to bringing them in to the Health Department. Unrefrigerated water samples should arrive at the laboratory within 6 hours of sampling; refrigerated water samples must reach the laboratory within 24 hours of sampling. The lab will not test samples that are over 24 hours old.

• Dug Wells: 3 ft. (1m) diameter, add one quart (1 litre) of household bleach for every 5 ft. (1.5m).
• Drilled Wells: 6" (15cm) diameter, add 5 ounces (142ml) of household bleach for every 25 ft. (7.5m).
• Well Points: 2" (5cm) diameter, add 3 ounces (85ml) of household bleach for every 10 ft. (3m) of depth.

* Note: If you have a low yield or shallow well, be careful not to run the well dry. Instead of running all the treated water through the garden hose, simply use the water as usual until the chlorine smell dissipates naturally. Then resample.

• Boiling it for 5 minutes.
• Adding 8 drops (1.25 ml or 1/4 teaspoon) of chlorinated household bleach per gallon (4.51 L) of water. Mix it well and allow it to stand for 15 minutes.