where to get water sample bottles and drop off your
TRANSCRIPT
Protect your family’s health by testing your water regularly
Is your well water safe to drink?
Did you know? Surveys show 16% of HRM
residents don’t know if their well water is safe to drink.
Where to get water sample bottles and drop off your samples for testingVisit any of the following locations to pick up your
water sample bottle(s) and drop off your sample(s) for testing:
WhereBuildingAddressDays and times
Environmental Services Laboratory
QEII Health Sciences CentreRoom 526, MacKenzie Building5788 University Ave, Halifax B3H 1V8(902) 473-8466 or 1-888-473-8466
Monday to Thursdaybefore 4:30 pmFriday before 3:00 pm
Dartmouth Dartmouth General Hospital325 Pleasant St Dartmouth B2Y 3S3
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am
Eastern Shore Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital22637 No. 7 Highway Sheet Harbour B0J 3B0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am
Middle Musquodoboit Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital492 Archibald Brook Rd Middle Musquodoboit B0N 1X0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:30 am
Musquodoboit Harbour
Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital7702 No. 7 HighwayMusquodoboit Harbour B0J 2L0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:30 am
Sackville Cobequid Community Health Centre40 Freer Lane Lower Sackville B4C 0A2
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am drop off only
West Hants Hants Community Hospital89 Payzant Dr Windsor B0N 2T0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 10:30 am
www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/thedroponwater.asp
Remember
Keep the
water samples
refrigerated before
you drop them off
for testing.
Design: Peggy & Co. (www.peggyandco.ca)
Did you know? Making infant formula with
water that has high levels
of nitrates, nitrites, arsenic,
uranium, or lead can be
harmful. If your well water has
not been tested, use water
from a source that you know
is safe.
Clean, safe drinking waterTesting: 6 easy steps
Step 1 – Decide what tests need to be done
• test for bacteria every 6 months
• test for chemicals every 2 years
You can download the form at
www.cdha.nshealth.ca/environmental-services-laboratory/documents
Step 2 – Pick up water sample bottles and requisition forms at one of the
locations listed on the back.
Step 3 – Collect your well water sample in the morning. Follow the instructions
on the requisition forms carefully. Keep the water samples refrigerated until you
drop them off for testing. Same day drop off is best for accurate bacteria testing.
Step 4 – Complete the requisition forms and note the fees due.
Step 5 – Arrange payment. To pay by
• Credit card, call 473-8466 or 1-888-473-8466 or visit the lab
• Cheque payable to CDHA, visit QEII MacKenzie Bldg, Room 526
or mail your cheque to CDHA, 5788 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 1V8
• Debit, visit the lab at the QEII, MacKenzie Bldg, Room 526
Step 6 – Deliver the samples to the lab or to one of the 6 drop-off locations listed
on the back. Note the cut-off time for that day and location. Same day drop off is
best for accurate bacteria testing.
• Results are sent to you by email, fax, or mail, from the lab –
only after test fees are paid.
• Take action if bacteria are present or results exceed the guidelines noted.
• Bacteria samples must be processed
within 30 hours of collection.
Download forms at
www.cdha.nshealth.ca/
environmental-services-laboratory/
documents
Testing is the only way to be sure it is safe. If you have a well at your home or cottage, testing is
your responsibility.
When should I test?• Test bacterial quality every 6 months
• Test chemical quality every 2 years
• Test more often if you notice changes in taste,
smell, or colour
Did you know? Exposure to high levels of
arsenic in drinking water can
cause nausea, diarrhea, and
muscle pain. Over the long
term, exposure to low levels of
arsenic can cause certain types
of cancer.
Did you know? Many harmful
bacteria and
chemicals have
no taste, smell, or
colour.
Warning signs — Your well water may be unsafe if
• the water contains naturally occurring
chemicals such as arsenic or uranium
• the water is discoloured
• the water has an unpleasant smell or taste
• nearby soil is contaminated by chemicals,
such as pesticides, industrial waste, human or
animal sewage, or seawater
The only way to know your well water is safe is by testing it regularly.
Well water in Nova Scotia may contain the following: Antimony
Arsenic
Bacteria
Barium
Boron
Cadmium
Chromium
Fluoride
Lead
Nitrate
Nitrite
Selenium
Turbidity
Uranium
Visit Nova Scotia
Environment’s
website to learn more
about water quality
and how it can affect
your family’s health:
www.gov.ns.ca/nse/
water
www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/thedroponwater.asp
Protect your family’s health by testing your water regularly
Is your well water safe to drink?
Did you know? Surveys show 16% of HRM
residents don’t know if their well water is safe to drink.
Where to get water sample bottles and drop off your samples for testingVisit any of the following locations to pick up your
water sample bottle(s) and drop off your sample(s) for testing:
Where Building Address Days and times
Environmental Services Laboratory
QEII Health Sciences Centre Room 526, MacKenzie Building5788 University Ave, Halifax B3H 1V8(902) 473-8466 or 1-888-473-8466
Monday to Thursdaybefore 4:30 pmFriday before 3:00 pm
Dartmouth Dartmouth General Hospital 325 Pleasant St Dartmouth B2Y 3S3
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am
Eastern Shore Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital 22637 No. 7 Highway Sheet Harbour B0J 3B0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am
Middle Musquodoboit Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital 492 Archibald Brook Rd Middle Musquodoboit B0N 1X0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:30 am
Musquodoboit Harbour
Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital 7702 No. 7 HighwayMusquodoboit Harbour B0J 2L0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:30 am
Sackville Cobequid Community Health Centre 40 Freer Lane Lower Sackville B4C 0A2
Monday to Thursdaybefore 11:00 am drop off only
West Hants Hants Community Hospital 89 Payzant Dr Windsor B0N 2T0
Monday to Thursdaybefore 10:30 am
www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/thedroponwater.asp
Remember
Keep the
water samples
refrigerated before
you drop them off
for testing.
Design: Peggy & Co. (www.peggyandco.ca)