News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is providing free bacterial testing for water from private wells which have been directly affected by recent flooding.

Residents must first register any damages with Service New Brunswick and must supply a property identification number (PID), which is found on property tax bills.

Effective immediately, water sampling kits can be picked up at the nearest Service New Brunswick Centre and at regional offices of the Department of Environment and Local Government. Water samples will be sent to the provincial laboratory in Fredericton for testing and the results will be made available to the well owners.

Since flooding has occurred at various locations and at different times, New Brunswickers are reminded they must wait 10 days after floodwaters have receded before beginning the chlorination and sampling process.

To be safe and avoid health risks, private water supplies affected by flooding should not be used until they have been disinfected and tested. Until tests indicate a safe water supply, water for drinking and personal use should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before being stored in clean containers.

In addition, well owners who suspect any other type of contamination, such as furnace oil, gasoline or agricultural chemicals, should contact their regional office of the Department of Environment and Local Government for follow-up.

Since water samples cannot be taken or analyzed until the well has been flushed of chlorine, it is recommended that well owners take the following steps:

• Ten days after floodwaters have receded, chlorinate your well using the guide, How to Chlorinate Your Well Water. This document is available online and at the department's regional offices, or by calling 506-453-3700.

• After chlorinating and subsequently flushing your water system, wait seven days before collecting a water sample for analysis.

• Sample kits may be obtained from and returned to a Service New Brunswick Centre or regional office of the Department of Environment and Local Government located near the flood-affected areas.

• Sample your well water according to the instructions in the kit.

• Ensure that you have your property identification number and, if possible, a well identification number if the well was constructed in 1994 or after.

After being received at the provincial lab, bacterial analysis and reporting can take up to four business days. If an analysis indicates the presence of bacteria, the well owner will be contacted by officials. If no harmful contamination is detected, well owners will be notified by mail.

All owners of private wells are advised that their water should be tested twice a year, in the spring and fall, and a bacterial analysis conducted to help ensure safety.