Public Health Ontario (PHO) now offers an online Water Testing Portal for private drinking water. Clients can enter their information and access test results electronically at www.publichealthontario.ca/WaterPortal.

How to Use the New Water Testing Portal

• Pick up a sample kit
  Get a PHO drinking water test kit from your local public health unit, PHO lab, or designated pick-up location.

• Collect your water sample
  Follow the instructions in the kit and keep your sample refrigerated until drop-off.

• Submit your information online
  Go to publichealthontario.ca/WaterPortal and enter your sample and personal details. Keep your barcode it's needed to get your results.

• Drop off your sample
  Bring your sample to a drop-off location within 48 hours of collection. No paper form needed.

• Get your results online
  After 2–4 business days, return to the portal and enter your barcode and last name to view, download, or print your test report.

Collecting Your Sample

Do I need a special collection kit if I use the electronic requisition?
You do not need a special collection kit if you use the electronic requisition. If you already have one of PHO's drinking water test collection kits at home, you can use the bottle in that kit to collect a water sample.

Alternatively, you can pick up a sterile PHO drinking water collection bottle from your local PHO laboratory, local public health unit, or one of the public health unit affiliated locations in your community. 

Only a PHO drinking water collection bottle will be accepted by the laboratory.

Who can submit a water sample for testing?
Any individual who relies on private water sources, such as wells, cisterns, or treated lake water, can submit a water sample for testing.

Submitting your Electronic Requisition

Do I need to send a paper requisition if I use the electronic form?
No, you only need to submit the information electronically through the Water Testing Portal. 

When should I submit my electronic form?
Submit it immediately after sample collection. Testing may be delayed if the form is not submitted right away. Both the form and sample must be received within 48 hours of collection; otherwise, the sample will not be tested.

Can someone else fill out the electronic form for me?
Yes, anyone can complete the form. To access the report, you’ll need the barcode number and the last name entered on the electronic form. 

Can I correct errors in the electronic form after submission?
No, the submitted form is a legal record and cannot be changed. Submit a new sample with a corrected form.

Why can’t I submit the online form?
Ensure all mandatory fields (*) are completed accurately. If the issue persists, contact PHO’s laboratory Customer Service Centre.

What if the portal isn’t working?
If the portal is down, try again later. For urgent needs, complete a paper requisition, secure it with the sample, and submit. Note: Reports won’t be available online for paper submissions."

Accessing Your Report

How do I access my electronic test report?
Go to the section "Access Water Test Reports" on the Water Testing Portal, enter your sample barcode and the last name used in the electronic form, and click the link to download the PDF.

What if I don’t have my barcode?
Email PHO’s laboratory Customer Service Centre at customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca to request an electronic copy of the test report. Provide:

• Date of collection
• Address where the sample was collected (street address or lot/concession number, township/municipality, county, postal code)

The personal information will be removed from the report. The location of water source address will be visible.

When will my laboratory report be available on the Water Testing Portal?
Reports are typically available 2 to 4 business days after the sample is dropped off.

Can anyone access my drinking water test report from the Water Testing Portal?
Only those who have the sample barcode and the last name used on the form can access the report.

Why wasn’t my sample tested?
The acceptance criteria was not met. Information must be complete and accurate and the sample tested within 48 hours of collection. Please re-sample and ensure all fields are complete and accurate before submitting.

How can I get a copy of my test report with the personal information removed?
Email PHO’s laboratory Customer Service Centre at customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca and ask for a report with personal details removed. Be sure to provide:

• The date the sample was collected
• The sample barcode (if you have it)
• The address where the sample was taken

Please note that the water source address will still be displayed on the report.

What if the Water Testing Portal is not available and I need to access my report?
Try again later. If you need your report immediately, email PHO’s laboratory Customer Service Centre at customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca. Be sure to provide:

• The date the sample was collected
• The sample barcode (if you have it)
• The address where the sample was taken

• Drinking water sample collection kits can be picked up and dropped off at many locations within the HKPR District Health Unit area.  
• Water samples will only be accepted if collected directly into these sterile bottles. 
• Please note that the HKPR District Health Unit and the Public Health Ontario Lab are separate organizations. The Health Unit does not test the water, but deliver the samples to the lab.
• Water samples must be submitted to public health lab within 48 hours (about 2 days).
• You should collect your water sample as close to the time of delivery as possible to avoid delays in testing. 
• The Public Health Ontario Laboratories do not test for other contaminants such as chemicals and minerals. If you would like to test your water for other contaminants, please contact a private licensed laboratory. 

• Follow the steps provided carefully so that the sterile water sample bottle does not become contaminated, and sample water only intended for drinking water (i.e., do not sample from untreated lake water). 
• Your water sample must also be kept cool – do not store or transport it in warm places such as your trunk. Results are unreliable if the sample is improperly collected, stored, or transported. 

How to Take a Well Water Sample

Watch this Health Unit video that takes you through the steps to taking a more accurate well water sample.

Water samples can be dropped off at a Health Unit office, participating locations, or at a Public Health Ontario Laboratory. Please check drop off locations and times to ensure you water will be accepted for testing. 

Test results are available within two to four business days after you drop off your sample. There are several ways to access your results: 

Telephone

The toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-723-3426 follow instructions on the “blue card” within the water sample collection kit. 

Mail

If you indicated on the form that you want the report mailed or made no choice, the report will be mailed to the name and address written on the form.

In Person

If you indicated on the form that you will pick up the report at the Public Health Ontario laboratory, proceed to show your photo identification at the reception desk during regular operating hours. If someone is picking up the report on your behalf, they will need a Potability of Water Release form signed by the submitter and their photo identification. 

Email

A written request must be submitted, including the period of results you are looking for, sample barcode(s) if available and the location of the water source. Ensure you include street address or lot and concession number, township/municipality, county, and postal code. You may send your request by e-mail to customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca. 

Your test results may include the following terms:

Total Coliform Bacteria:

The presence of coliforms may indicate a contaminated water supply. Coliforms occur naturally in the soil and decaying vegetation, but may also be associated with human and animal fecal contamination. Given the vulnerability of well water to external influence, such as human, environmental and agricultural impacts, it is important to test water frequently.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) Bacteria:

Escherichia coli can be isolated from the fecal material found in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. These bacteria are found only in the digestive systems of people and animals. Their presence in your well is usually the result of contamination from a nearby source.

The water sample is esthetically unclean for drinking:

Public health laboratories will not analyze a sample they deem unsuitable for testing due to its appearance or odour. As well, samples are sometimes returned without analysis because they contain particles and risk damaging lab equipment.

Waters that are unsuitable for testing can contain other substances such as iron or other minerals which make water unclean for drinking. In such cases, a water filtration system needs to be installed before proceeding to a bacteriological analysis of the water. Private laboratories may assist you in identifying some of these other substances.

Visit Public Health Ontario for help analyze your results and for more information.

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