Homeowner Information & Resources
This collection of resources provides information related to questions commonly received from private homeowners and members of the public. Information related to water testing, home treatment systems, wells, source water protection and water related emergencies can be found here.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Water Testing
Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water) – Public Health Units provide testing for the presence of the bacterial indicators of contamination, E. coli and total coliforms in private drinking water systems.
Public Health Units – Find your local Public Health Unit in this directory for information on local water testing programs.
Testing Your Water – A video demonstrating how to collect a water sample for the Public Health Unit’s bacterial indicator testing program.
Well Water Testing – Well Wise Program– Well Wise is a program administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association to provide water testing for consumers and well contractors.
List of Licensed Labs – A directory of labs licensed to test drinking water in the province of Ontario if you would like to pay for private testing.
Drinking Water Quality – Indicator Bacteria (Total Coliforms and E. Coli) – A fact sheet describing the Public Health Unit’s test for bacterial indicators of contamination.
How Do I Get My Drinking Water Tested? – A fact sheet made by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre summarizing how a homeowner can go about testing their water.
Home Water Treatment
A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for Household Use – A fact sheet produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the effectiveness of point-of-use or point-of-entry drinking water treatment technologies for household use against different contaminants.
A Guide to Water Filters – This guide was produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for filtering tap water (previously treated water).
Choosing Home Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems – This guide was produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Contaminant Reduction Claims Guide – This guide was produced by NSF International who certifies purification systems designed to reduce contaminants. This directory shows which systems they have certified to reduce lead, arsenic, bacteria, cysts, viruses, chlorine, chloramine, chromium, fluoride, nitrate/nitrite, PFOA/PFOS, trihalomethanes and volatile organic compounds.
Do I Need to Use Certified Products or Materials for my Drinking Water? – A Walkerton Clean Water Centre fact sheet providing information on how to select plumbing products and treatment systems for your drinking water at home.
Drinking Water Safety – Cisterns – A fact sheet produced by Haldimand and Norfolk Health and Social Services about maintaining, cleaning and disinfecting a cistern.
Drinking Water Treatability Database – Presents referenced information on the control of contaminants in drinking water. After selecting ‘Find a Contaminant’ you will find a ‘Treatment Processes’ tab that lists the treatment processes with literature on the log or percent removal, water quality conditions and operational parameters references in the ‘Data’ tab.
Hard Water at Home – A homeowner’s guide to hard water and similar issues produced by a real estate company.
Home Water Treatment System Selection – A guide for selecting a home water treatment system produced by NSF International.
Rainwater Collection – Tips and information for homeowners interested in collecting rainwater to conserve resources by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ultimate Guide to Well Water Treatment – A guide to understanding well water and possible methods of treatment written by a plumber.
Plumbing
Flushing Your Home: How to Flush an Entire House Plumbing System– A step-by-step guide produced by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to flush the plumbing in your home.
How Much Water Does a Leaky Toilet Waste? – A video experiment showing you how much water is wasted by a leaky toilet in your home.
How to Drain Your Water Heater – Step-by-step instructions produced by the District of Columbia for draining your water heater.
How to Find Your Water Shut Off Valve – This video demonstrates how to locate and operate your water shut off valve to prevent further water damage during an emergency.
How to Fix a Bathtub Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to replace a leaky cartridge in a bathtub faucet.
How to Fix a Double-Stem Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky double-stem faucet.
How to Fix a Leaky Toilet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky toilet.
How to Fix a Single-Stem Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky single-stem faucet.
How to flush your own (drinking water) pipes at home – A video made by the Green Bay Utility demonstrating how to flush all the plumbing in a typical home.
How to Identify Lead Free Certification Marks for Drinking Water System and Plumbing Products – A fact sheet produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for sourcing lead free certified products to be used for drinking water systems.
How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing – A video demonstrating how to prevent frozen water lines to keep the water flowing in your home.
Do I Need to Use Certified Products or Materials for my Drinking Water? – A Walkerton Clean Water Centre fact sheet providing information on how to select plumbing products and treatment systems for your drinking water at home.
How to Install a Water Softener– A video produced by US Water Systems providing general directions for installing a water softener.
Water Meters
How to Read Your Water Meter: Automated Model – A video demonstrating how to read your automated water meter.
How to Read Your Water Meter: Dial Model (Manual)– A video demonstrating how to read your manual dial-type water meter.
Wells
View these other posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
Well Aware and Well Wise Program Resources for Homeowners
Wells Help Desk and Well Records in Ontario
Well Construction and Licensing
Source Water Protection
View this post on the WCWC online library for more information.
Emergency Disinfection
Disinfecting Wells After a Disaster
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Well Construction and Licensing
The licensing of well contractors and technicians promotes and supports enforcement of safe environmental practices to maintain the health of Ontario’s groundwater resources. You will need a well technician license or employ a person with a well technician license to construct, maintain, repair or upgrade a well.
This collection of resources was assembled for well contractors, technicians and anyone interested in learning the rules for constructing, maintaining or making repairs to a water well.
Rules for the person who is constructing a new water supply well.
You can also find the full set of requirements for well construction and licensing at:
Find a Contractor
- Find Licensed Well Contractors – Use this directory to find licensed well contractors.
- Find an Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) Member Contractor in your Area – Use this directory to find a contractor.
Licensing & Records
- Well Contractor License – How to apply for and renew a well contractor license so you can operate a well construction business.
- Well Technician License – How to apply for and renew a well technician license, as well as add a new class(es).
- Well Records – How to complete, submit or get a copy of a well record.
Technical Bulletins for Ontario’s Wells Regulation
- Completing the New Well’s Structure
- Completing the Structure of the New Test Hole or Dewatering Well
- Constructing New Multi-Level Monitoring Test Holes
- Constructing New Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Constructing New Test Holes & Dewatering Wells in Operation for No Longer than 180 Days
- Constructing New Uncased Test Holes & Dewatering Wells in Operation for No Longer than 30 Days
- Exempted Activities Performed on Wells, Including Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Flowing Test Holes and Dewatering Wells
- Flowing Wells
- Installing Equipment in a Well
- Licensing (Class 5) for individuals who Perform Tests on Wells
- New Construction of the Hole, Casing, Well Screen and Annular Space
- Shallow Works Test Holes and Dewatering Wells
- Site Considerations & Initial Planning for Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Siting a New Well
- Test Hole and Dewatering Well Licensing
- Test Hole & Dewatering Well Maintenance
- Test Hole & Dewatering Well Repairs & Alterations
- Test holes and dewatering wells – Requirements and best management practices
- Understanding the Meaning of Well, Test Hole and Dewatering Well
- Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices
- Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Test Hole or Dewatering Well
- Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Construction Licensing
- Well Disinfection
- Well Maintenance
- Well Record, Reporting & Tagging for a Test Hole & Dewatering Wells
- Well Repairs and Other Alterations
Well Technician Training
- Fleming College – Ontario Well Technician training courses at Fleming College including courses to obtain your license and courses to maintain your license.
- Lusk Geo Inc. – Provides training in groundwater, water wells, geothermal systems and Well Technician Licensing.
Associations
- Ontario Ground Water Association – a not for profit association consisting of professional members who are involved in the ground water industry in Ontario. They include — Well Drillers, Environmental/Geotechnical Drillers, Pump Installers, Manufacturers and Suppliers, as well as Scientists and Engineers. Included are the company owners as well as their employees.
- Canadian Water Quality Association – representing the Canadian water quality improvement industry.
- Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association – representing the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry in Ontario, including educators, regulators, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and other parties.
- Hydrogeologists Without Borders – a Canadian non-profit organization and registered charity, based in Calgary.
- Canadian National Ground Water Association – a Canadian non-profit consisting of members of the ground water industry across Canada.
- Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) – governs the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario.
- Professional Engineers of Ontario – the licensing and regulating body for engineering in the province.
Water Testing
- Well Wise Water Testing Program– administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association. This program provides cost effective water testing for things other than bacteria in your water. Metals, minerals, salts, fuels, solvents, fluoride, mercury, sulfate, tannin/lignin, pesticides/herbicides, and glyphosates. Test bottles are shipped to you with return freight included. Not for Profit water testing.
- Public Health Unit (PHU) Testing – Find your local PHU for information on free well water testing for E. Coli and Coliform bacteria. Check your water spring, summer, and fall.
- List of Licensed Laboratories in Ontario – This is a list of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water tests in Ontario. Prior to submitting samples please contact the licensed laboratory for pricing .
- Testing Well Water – An instructional video on how to take an accurate sample of your well water for E. Coli and Coliform bacteria testing.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Photo from Luskgeo.com
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Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
This guide provides information to anyone who collects and submits a sample to a licensed drinking water testing laboratory in Ontario, as well as to all licensed laboratories. This sampling guide was made so that the requirements of O. Reg. 248/03 section 9.(1)(a) can be met.
This document provides guidance for:
- water treatment plant owners/operators or anyone who may collect and submit a sample to a licensed drinking water testing laboratory in Ontario to meet Ontario’s environmental regulatory and approval requirements
- provincial officers sampling to verify the integrity of a drinking water system’s self-monitoring information, or in response to adverse water quality notifications
Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
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Read MoreProcedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Disinfection of Drinking Water; A clear distinction is made between primary disinfection and secondary disinfection, which are often completely separate treatment processes and provide different outcomes. The former is intended to provide disinfection before the water is delivered to the first consumer and the latter ensures maintenance of a disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system.
This procedure is a supporting document for Ontario legislation and regulations related to drinking water and specific to water disinfection and any pre-disinfection processes that may be necessary to ensure effectiveness of disinfection. The Procedure is adopted by reference in the provisions in Schedules 1 and 2 in O. Reg. 170/03 that deal with requirements for primary and secondary disinfection.
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
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Read MoreTechnical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
The primary purpose of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines is to provide information for the protection of public health through the provision of safe drinking water.
This document is intended to provide supporting documentation for the Ontario Drinking-Water Quality Standards Regulation O. Reg. 169/03 and serve as a reference for the design and operation of water treatment plants to produce water that continuously satisfies the standards, objectives and guidelines of drinking-water quality. This document also makes reference to the Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario.
Parameters and their associated standards and objectives are listed alphabetically in Tables 1 through 4. A brief description is provided for these parameters in Appendix A. Some parameters, such as alkalinity, pH and taste, which do not have specific objectives, are listed because for them there is an ideal condition or range for water treatment plant operation or aesthetic water quality.
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
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Wednesdays with Warren: Water Operator Training Videos
Wednesdays with Warren is an initiative by Water Movement to bridge the connection between Indigenous water operators by providing a collaborative online space where they can connect, share lessons learned and access a video library.
Water Movement is a registered Canadian non-for-profit. Their team of volunteers includes a unique mix of industry professionals and university students. For more information, visit their website.
Wednesdays with Warren Video Library
Meet Water Operator Warren Brown!
How to do a Chlorine Residual Test
Knowledge is Power! PLCs and Water Treatment
Slow Sand Filtration and Filter Scrape
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Image from https://www.watermovement.ca/
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Public Health Inspector Resources
Guides
Drinking Water Quality in Canada
Ontario Public Health Standards: Protocols and Guidelines
Drinking Water Haulage Guidance Document
Practices for the Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Public Health Inspectors Guide
Response to Adverse Drinking Water Quality Incidents
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
Protocols & Guidelines
Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018
Recreational Water Protocol, 2019
Recreational Water Reference Document, 2019
Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, 2019
Small Drinking Water Systems Risk Assessment Guideline, 2018
Regulations
Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.40
O. Reg. 170/03: DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
O. Reg. 319/08: SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 32
Sampling & Analysis
Bacteriological Analysis of Water: Multiple Sample Requisition for Official Agencies
Drinking Water Testing – Official Agencies | Public Health Ontario
Drinking Water Testing – Private Citizen
Potability of Water Release Form
Practices for the Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Recreational Water Facilities and Public Pools Spas
Requisition for Specimen Containers and Supplies
Sewage, Suspected Sewage Contamination – Water
Water Testing – Who to Contact
Water Sample Analysis – Public Health Inspectors Guide
Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water)
Arsenic from community water fluoridation: quantifying the effect
Emergency Management : Keeping Food and Water Safe after a Flood
Zika Virus Infection and the Flint, Michigan, Water Crisis: A Study in Surprising Commonalities
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Find Licensed Well Contractors
Laboratory Accreditation and Licensing
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ministry of the Environment – District Locator
Ministry of the Environment – Drinking Water
Legionella
Environmental Microbiology Investigation Requisition Form
Infectious Diseases Protocol – Appendix A: Disease – Specific Chapters – Legionellosis
Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis
Legionella: Introduction of molecular screening of environmental water samples
Legionella (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever)
Legionella: questions and answers, 2nd edition
Legionella – Respiratory PCR and Culture
Legionellosis in Ontario, January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
Legionellosis (Legionella, Legionnaires Disease)
Presentations
Legionellosis: Key Considerations for Case and Environmental Exposure Investigation
Photo from www.regionofwaterloo.ca
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Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) 2021 Conference Presentations
WCWC had some speakers selected to present at the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) Water Conference and Trade Show in May 2021. Recordings of the presentations can be viewed on our YouTube channel here:
Practical Reduction of Arsenic From Groundwater: Two Towns With Two Different Solutions
The slides for these presentations can also be accessed here:
Practical Reduction of Arsenic From Groundwater: Two Towns With Two Different Solutions
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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First Nations and Federal Systems Resources
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre is committed to supporting First Nations drinking water systems in Ontario. For a list of provincial regulations, see our Regulatory Resources for Ontario Systems post.
The following organizations can provide more information or assistance.
General:
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Chiefs of Ontario
- Health Canada – Environmental and Workplace Health department
Technical Services:
Training:
- Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
- Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario
- Keewaytinook Centre of Excellence
- Circuit Rider Training Program
Water Quality:
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Drinking Water System Resources
About Drinking Water Advisories
Advice for the Operation of Potable Water Field Test Equipment
AWWAO: Helping Train and Certify Ontario First Nations Operators
Bottled Water: Selection & Application in Federal Facilities
Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
Chlorine in Drinking Water in First Nation Communities
Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Design Guidelines for First Nations Water Works
Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water
Disinfection for Micro-Systems
Domestic Reclaimed Water for use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing
Drinking Groundwater and Well Water Safety
Eco Report Details First Nations Water Issues and Offers Hope
Emergency Response Plan for Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
Ending Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories
Environment Canada: Water and the Environment
First Nation Community Infrastructure
First Nation Infrastructure Fund
First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans and Reports
First Nations On-Reserve Source Water Protection Plan
Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality – Third Edition
Inspecting Your Well: A Step-By-Step Checklist
Issuing and Rescinding Boil Water Advisories in Canadian Drinking Water Supplies
Issuing and Rescinding Drinking Water Avoidance Advisories in Emergency Situations
Lifecycle of a First Nation Community Infrastructure Project
Maintenance Management Plan for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
National First Nations Water Leadership Award
Potassium from Water Softeners
Practice Quizzes for Math, OIT and Class 1 Certifications
Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Tribal Drinking Water Systems Guide Booklet (US EPA)
Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities
Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction
Protocols and Guidelines for Water Systems
Questions and Answers on Drinking Water Treatment Devices
Report Pollution and Spills – Spills Action Centre
Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Safe Drinking Water – Your Responsibility
Short-Term Drinking Water Advisories by Region
Sustaining Healthy Communities Through a New Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
The OFNTSC: Delivering the Know-How to Achieve Clean Water in First Nations Communities
Training and Support for Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities in Ontario
Ultraviolet & Reverse Osmosis for Micro-Systems
Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
Water Filtration & Ion Exchange for Micro-Systems
Water Quality 101: Potable Water Micro-System Fundamentals
Water Sampling in Federal Facilities
Water Treatment Plant at Six Nations of the Grand River
Working With First Nations to Improve Drinking Water
Wastewater System Resources
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
Circuit Rider Training Program
Emergency Response Plan for Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Environment Canada: Wastewater
First Nation Community Infrastructure
First Nation Infrastructure Fund
First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans and Reports
Lifecycle of a First Nation Community Infrastructure Project
Maintenance Management Plan for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Centralised Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Report Pollution and Spills – Spills Action Centre
Septic Tank and Leaching Bed Safety
Sustaining Healthy Communities Through a New Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
Wastewater in First Nations Communities
Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
WCWC Pilot Testing Projects Completed for First Nation Communities
A Study to Reduce Disinfection By-Products in a First Nation Community’s Drinking Water Supply *NEW*
Conventional and Dissolved Air Flotation Jar Testing
Conventional Treatment Optimization for Big Grassy First Nation
Decentralized Pilot Testing for Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
Optimizing Coagulant Doses by Jar Tests
Optimizing Regeneration Process of Greensand Filtration to Reduce Disinfection By-Products *NEW*
Reduction of Iron and Manganese Using Conventional Treatment and Greensand Filtration
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Well Aware and Well Wise Program Resources for Homeowners
Well Aware
Well Aware was a program of Green Communities Canada that encouraged Ontario’s residential well owners to protect their wells and our common groundwater supplies.
Since 2001, Well Aware has helped more than 3,900 Ontarians to gain confidence in the management of their wells and to protect their family’s drinking water. An additional 217,000 residents have benefited from our Well Aware booklet, “A Guide to Caring for your Well.”
Well Aware Booklet – A Guide to Caring for Your Well
Well Wise
Well Wise is a program administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association to provide water testing for consumers and well contractors.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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