Private Wells and Septic Systems

Private wells

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) regulates privately-owned wells. If you have concerns about your private well, please contact the MECP toll-free at 888-396-9355.

South East Health Unit provides free water testing for all private well owners in their service area. The free service tests for bacteria (E. coli and total coliforms). Collect a fresh sample in one of the testing bottles provided by Public Health (available for pickup at the Odessa Municipal Office, 263 Main Street), and drop the sample back at the Odessa office on any time on Monday, or on Tuesday before noon. Samples will be delivered to the Public Health lab for testing, and your results will be available by phone within a few business days. Public Health and Health Canada recommend testing private well water a minimum of three times per year, to ensure that changing conditions throughout the year do not introduce contamination into your well.

• Test in spring, when melt and heavy rainfall lead to runoff. This is especially important if you live near agricultural land or have livestock on your property.
• Test after long periods of dry weather or drought.
• Test after a heavy rainfall.
• Test when you haven't used the well in a long time (such as a cottage).

The MECP has a manual for well owners called Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices. You can also locate your well record using MECP's interactive well records map.

Protecting the source of our water supply is everyone's responsibility. Cataraqui Source Protection provides a number of important resources, including the Groundwater Protection Workbook. Cataraqui and Quinte Source Protection are members of the Best Practices Eastern Ontario Working Group. Their Drinking Water Wise Webinars are aimed at helping protection rural water sources.

Here are some other resources for private well owners:

• The Well Aware booklet, a guide to caring for your well developed by Green Communities Canada will help you maintain the quality of your water.
• Health Canada - Well testing information
• KFL&A Public Health - Safe drinking water information
• Government of Ontario - List of laboratories licensed to test drinking water in Ontario
• Public Health Ontario - Well water testing for private drinking water systems
• Public Health Ontario - Well disinfection tool

Private septic systems

Loyalist Township Building Division is responsible for inspecting septic systems and issuing permits for them within Loyalist Township. For applications please visit our on-site sewage permits page.

To learn more about the basics of private septic systems, visit the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre's website.